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Kathy Brandt and Kimberly Acquaviva | Quality of Life

It’s not often that you can predict the future, but when Kathy Brandt was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ovarian cancer, she knew exactly what lay ahead. As a hospice industry leader, she turned her grim prognosis into a teachable moment. And with her wife, Kimberly, a nursing professor and author of a book on hospice care for LGBTQ+ patients, she posted stories about her disease and final days on social media. Instead of chemo and other rigorous treatments, Kathy chose palliative care to make the most of her remaining time because, as she explained, “I didn’t even want one day taken away from my son and my wife because I didn’t feel good.” Palliative care gave her and her family, which included her 19 year-old son, the resources, medical care and psychosocial support that she needed. Kathy died on August 4, 2019. She was 54.

Palliative care is central to C-TAC’s mission of supporting patients, families and caregivers from diagnosis to end of life. We invite you to join us and our palliative care partners in advocating for care that meets patients’ needs and honors their dignity.