In short
- • Kathy (54) is battling peritoneal cancer, a rare and incurable disease.
- • Swimming keeps her going — both physically and mentally.
- • She raises donations via Ghent University’s action platform.
- • Already collected more than 5600 euro for cancer research.
In March 2021, Kathy received life-changing news: a tumour on her appendix marked the beginning of a long and difficult battle against peritoneal cancer. Yet she decided to do more than fight just for herself. She channels her strength into helping others by raising donations for the Ghent University Peritoneal Cancer Fund./span>
“Swimming is my anchor”
Swimming has been Kathy’s lifelong passion. She swam competitively until her pregnancy, and later rekindled that love. Just before her diagnosis, she even won bronze medals at the European and World Masters Championships.
“After hearing about the tumour, my first thought was: ‘Will I still be able to swim?’ It may sound odd, but for me swimming means so much more than sport. It is my anchor. Mentally, physically, socially. If that disappears, I lose my sense of direction.”
Between surgeries, chemotherapy and new treatments, Kathy keeps training. Her doctors, including Professor Wim Ceelen (Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital), even adapt treatment schedules to her training regime. “They understand how important this is to me. That involvement helps me to keep going.”
From patient to pioneer
Thanks to a legacy gift, Professor Ceelen was able to develop innovative techniques such as PIPAC. When this method — delivering chemotherapy as a spray during keyhole surgery — did not work for her due to adhesions, Kathy began experimental immunotherapy.
She knows the chance of recovery is slim, but she remains hopeful. “Even if it doesn’t help me, others may benefit. And in the meantime, I keep swimming. This summer I took part in the World Masters Championships in Singapore, together with my eldest son. Our first relay together — I was so looking forward to it.””
Kathy knows the chance of recovery is slim, but she remains hopeful. "Even if it doesn't help me, it might help others. And in the meantime, I'll keep swimming."
A campaign for life
After her surgery in May 2023 — just three days after her 50th birthday — Kathy decided to turn her energy into action. She launched a fundraising campaign op via het UGent-actieplatform, ten voordele van het Fonds Buikvlieskanker.
“I didn’t ask for presents, only donations to the fund. And it worked. So far I’ve raised more than €5,600.” What impressed her most was how smooth and personal the process was: “It was surprisingly easy to set up my campaign. And I heard from several people that they received a thoughtful thank-you from Ghent University after donating. That really makes an impact.”
Would you like to start your own campaign? Take a look at our action platform.
Why your support matters
The Peritoneal Cancer Fund was founded in 2016 by Prof. Wim Ceelen. It enables pioneering research into treatments that — for now — are not covered by traditional funding. The fund invests in high-tech equipment, immunotherapies and the further development of PIPAC technology.
“Donations truly make a difference,” says Prof. Ceelen. “Thanks to initiatives like Kathy’s, we can move faster and start innovative studies. And the physical condition of sporty patients like Kathy also leads to better outcomes. She is a shining example.”
→ Support the research and help develop life-extending therapies: Donate now to the Peritoneal Cancer Fund
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