Vital Statistics
Katherine Morean
  • Age 48
  • Resident of Lycoming County
  • Community Volunteer
  • Mother of One
  • Two-Time Breast Cancer Survivor
One day, Kathy came upon a breast self-examination article while sitting in the waiting room at the podiatrist’s office. That evening, she performed a self-exam while showering and noticed a lump on her right breast. Following a biopsy and an ultrasound, Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39.

Kathy underwent a lumpectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Four years later, following a second battle with breast cancer, she chose to have a bilateral mastectomy. Kathy’s family, friends and members of her cancer support group helped her through her treatment, with her husband, Elwood, and her daughter, Melissa, as her “rocks.” “As helpless as they felt during both breast cancer episodes, they always remained positive for me,” she recalls.

For three years, Kathy had served as a Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She is currently a hospice volunteer at The Gatehouse at Divine Providence Hospital, and serves as a Relay for Life team captain. When she’s not volunteering, Kathy is working on a book about her experiences with breast cancer. Kathy says that cancer is "an awakening chapter in anyone's life. Life has no guarantees and also no boundaries. Cancer is not limiting. You learn from it; you teach because of it; and you live your life accordingly." Today she lives her life for others.