A “gifted” College of Kentucky dancer died from bone most cancers over the weekend, simply months after she shared an emotional video celebrating the tip of her chemotherapy therapy, faculty officers mentioned.
Sophomore Kate Kaufling, 20, died from osteosarcoma, a type of bone most cancers, on Sunday, UK Athletics introduced.
Kate was on the UK Dance Crew alongside her twin sister, Abbey, the division mentioned.
“Kate was a pleasure to teach and to be round. Her smile might mild up a room and she or he was beloved by all of her UKDT teammates,”head coach Daybreak Walters mentioned.
“We’re all saddened by Kate’s passing. We are going to bear in mind her for the robust battle she fought with osteosarcoma over the previous 12 months. She was courageous till the very finish and all of us can draw inspiration from the brave battle that she fought.” she added.
The UK Dance Crew shared a collage of Kate in her group gear on Instagram, writing that “Heaven has gained an attractive Angel.”
Kate was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, and was pursuing a nursing diploma, in accordance with UK Govt Affiliate Athletics Director Sandy Bell.
“Along with being a gifted dancer, Kate was additionally a tremendous pupil, within the School of Nursing, who took her lecturers very severely,” Bell mentioned.
“Even throughout her most cancers therapies, Kate stored up along with her research, setting a tremendous instance for her teammates. Kate was beloved by all who knew her and she or he will likely be deeply missed,” she famous.
Kaufling’s passing got here simply three months after she shared an emotional video saying the tip of her seven-month ordeal with chemotherapy.
“2023 was by far not the 12 months I had in thoughts. My plans of returning to UK with my greatest pals to bounce and begin nursing faculty had made a pointy sudden flip,” she wrote of the devastating analysis.
“I had no selection however as a substitute to spend the previous 7 months present process an intense chemotherapy therapy filled with many hospital stays. 7 months later I’m proud to say, ‘it’s over,’” Kaufling mentioned of the expertise, including that the illness “did change ]her] outlook on life.”
“Maintain on to your family members so long as you possibly can. These hugs is likely to be the one factor making them really feel protected proper now. Embrace your folks who deal with you no otherwise since you’re unwell,” the faculty pupil insisted.
Kate’s twin, Abbey, paid tribute to her late sister in a gut-wrenching social media replace Monday.
“My coronary heart is in items having to jot down this. my candy kate you have been my individual,” Abbey wrote alongside a sequence of images of the duo posing collectively by way of the years.
“Anybody who knew kate actually is aware of the attractive soul she was. there’s not a day that goes by that somebody doesn’t convey up one of many one million methods kate lit up each room she walked in,” the grieving sister continued.
“I promise to get up on a regular basis and dwell my life for you kate. As heartbroken as I’m proper now, I can say I’ve the perfect guardian angel in all of heaven,” Abbey added.
Kate was additionally mourned by her sorority chapter, which shared a photograph of the dancer acting on the soccer discipline in happier instances.
“Kate was an extremely vivid mild in our chapter, one whose presence will likely be felt for years to return. She was loving, real, and passionate- a Tri Delta in each method,” the accompanying caption learn.
