Remembering Kathryn West

Last weekend, the patient advocacy community lost a fierce advocate, leader, and innovator in raising awareness of the issues cancer survivors experience. Kathryn West, oncology nurse and fierce advocate for cancer patients, died of cancer herself in Los Angeles last Sunday.

NCCS first met Kathryn through her role as Advocacy Director for Amgen. Her vision to increase awareness of resources for people affected by cancer led her to champion the creation of Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer®. Breakaway shares cancer patient resources for the entire cancer experience, from prevention through survivorship, as an integral part of Amgen’s Tour of California. NCCS has been a proud partner in this effort since the Tour’s inception in 2005.

Kathryn’s instincts in her advocacy role were driven by her career as an oncology nurse and her understanding that the effects of cancer go far beyond just the physical. Kathryn combined that knowledge with her determination and collaborative spirit to evolve Breakaway from an exhibit at the first Amgen Tour of California, to four strong partners covering the continuum of the cancer experience during the Tour and throughout the year.

To help raise awareness further, Kathryn engaged celebrity spokespeople, including Patrick Dempsey, Joan Lunden, and Katherine Kelly Lang, who each truly understood the devastating effects a cancer diagnosis has on an individual and his or her loved ones.

Over the years, many of the NCCS staff attended Breakaway from Cancer® events. We, our fellow advocacy partners, and the Breakaway staff were like family on the road for 10 days traveling throughout California. Many of us got to know Kathryn well during our time together, and her cancer diagnosis was a shock to us all.

To no one’s surprise, she brought the same strength and resilience as an advocate to her own cancer experience. She continued to lead by example, bringing the struggles of cancer to the forefront by being brutally honest about fears, side effects, and setbacks of her cancer. Her stories always had an element of humor, but it was hard to watch our Breakaway leader endure cancer when she had spent her entire life serving patients and survivors.

All of us at NCCS, and the entire Breakaway family, will remember Kathryn for her relentless advocacy and unapologetic leadership. She will be missed greatly, and never forgotten.

“Kathryn was a true force of nature. It was such cruel irony that after decades of advocacy for cancer patients, she was diagnosed with cancer herself. I remember last year, during the Tour, she was on stage with other cancer survivors, and she had an emotional moment, realizing that she was now a member of the club no one wants to join. We are deeply grateful to Kathryn for her advocacy and will continue to advocate for patients in her honor.” – Shelley Fuld Nasso, NCCS CEO

“From the moment I met Kathryn at a Tour of California event, I knew she was someone I could learn from both professionally and personally. It was clear from seeing how she interacted with her staff, advocates, and even celebrities, that she could teach me about leadership and advocacy. Over the course of the week, I enjoyed getting to know Kathryn beyond the Breakaway leader and got to know how funny and compassionate a woman she was as well. I am so grateful to have known Kathryn, both before her diagnosis and after, and our time spent together at Breakaway will always be special to me.” — Kelsey Nepote, NCCS Advocacy Manager.

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Kathryn’s friends and colleagues shared their thoughts and remembrances on social media.

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And then there are the times that no amount of preparation is enough for this day. Kathryn West lost her three year battle with cancer last night. Kathryn was intelligent, beautiful, and courageous. Kathryn was inspirational to say the least. Kathryn changed my life. I have had the honor to work with her at @BreakawayCancer the last 5 years and have learned so much under her guidance. Kathryn was a key leader in developing and running the #breakawayfromcancer initiative that we have all come to know and love through it's activation at the @AmgenTOC and beyond. Kathryn was my mentor. You know those women who are confident and caring enough to invest in other women to grow and develop both personally and professionally? Yes. That was Kathryn. She gave me an incredible opportunity and then let me fly. Ok, maybe I didn't always fly right away. She would have to push me a bit to find the courage to take the leap. She had the biggest heart, and was especially gifted to offer a warm embrace and safe place for those that were affected by cancer. She was an independent and strong woman that wasn't afraid to be herself and show a softer side for those in need. She wasn't afraid to stand up for herself, and she taught me to find my own voice. She was fearless, even in the face of cancer. She was efficient and sassy. She bedazzled her #AmgenTOC swag, because normal polos and hats are boring. We were purse twins. Ok, she had it first, I copied her. Everyone loved stopping by her office not only for the bowl of candy, but also the welcoming frankness and guaranteed smile. Tonight I think I need a dirty martini and chicken wings in her honor. I will wear my red lipstick and heels with confidence. I will make sure I am always on time for conference calls with an appropriate agenda. I will find the humor in all situations, even if it is fighting a devastating disease. I will use a witty retort when necessary, and always have a hug available. I will help other women find their voice and confidence. I will be a better woman, professional, and person because of Kathryn West. I will be an advocate. May I be a fearless warrior like Kathryn West. May I change lives. 💔

A post shared by Alison M. Tetrick (@amtetrick) on Dec 10, 2018 at 6:50pm PST