Kate Kaufling, a cherished sophomore nursing student at the University of Kentucky, succumbed to osteosarcoma on March 31, 2024, following an arduous battle against the disease. She was just 20 years of age.
Born in 2003, Kate was actively engaged in the university’s dance team and the Tri Delta sorority. Her twin sister, Abbey, was also a member of the dance team. Abbey poured out her sorrow on Instagram, stating, “My dear Kate, you were the one closest to me.”
Kate was diagnosed with bone cancer on June 2, 2023. In spite of her ailment, she remained committed to her academic pursuits. Sandy Bell, the executive associate athletics director of the university, commented, “Kate was not only an outstanding dancer but also an exceptional student in the College of Nursing, approaching her studies with great earnestness.”
Dawn Walters, the head dance coach, further noted, “Her smile had the power to brighten an entire room, and she was adored by every member of the UKDT. We are all deeply saddened by Kate’s passing.”
Kate’s parents, Holly and Steve, along with her sister Abbey, will forever cherish her memory and feel her absence acutely. The impact she had on the lives of so many ensures that her legacy endures.