University of Kentucky Wildcat Dancer Kate Kaufling Dies At 20
Kate Kaufling, a member of the University of Kentucky's dance team called The Wildcats, has passed away at age 20.
On Monday, the school's Athletics Department announced in a statement that the sophomore student-athlete died on Sunday after battling osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
"Kate was a joy to coach and to be around. Her smile could light up a room and she was beloved by all of her UKDT teammates," said Dawn Walter, the UK Dance Team head coach.
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— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) April 1, 2024
"We are all saddened by Kate's passing. She was brave until the very end, and all of us can draw inspiration from the courageous battle that she fought. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with the Kaufling family."
The executive associate athletics director of the UK, Sandy Bell, also honored her by writing, "In addition to being a talented dancer, Kate was also an amazing student in the College of Nursing who took her academics very seriously."
According to Bell, Kaufling "kept up with her studies, setting an amazing example for her teammates" despite undergoing cancer treatments.
"Kate was beloved by all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed. On behalf of UK Athletics, we send our deepest sympathies to Holly, Steve, Abbey and the entire Kaufling family," she added.
Kaufling was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on June 2, 2023, per the description on the GoFundMe page set up for her by Tina Ladegast. The fundraiser aimed to help her parents, Steve and Holly, with Kate's medical treatments and travel expenses to and from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
The Wildcats dancer underwent various procedures and tests after she felt "a few lumps and swollen lymph nodes." After months of procedures and a biopsy, her biopsy sample tested malignant.
"Kate, the beautiful 19-year-old University of Kentucky dancer, a nursing student with a 4.0 GPA has cancer? It's unimaginable and hard to even comprehend. Even as I sit here writing this, 14 days later, it's impossible to believe," Ladegast wrote.
Osteosarcoma is "a kind of cancer that begins in the cells that form bones" and is most often found in the long bones of the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Teenagers and young adults are at a higher risk of developing this type of bone cancer.
At the time of her battle against cancer, Kate reportedly faced her diagnosis with "drive and determination."
"I've watched her in awe as she cracks jokes and keeps such a sunny, light-hearted disposition despite the fight she is facing," said Ladegast.
As of press time, Kate's GoFundMe page has already reached $100,226 from over 1,300 donations.
