At seven years old, Kathleen was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery and traditional radiation to remove the tumor located along her spine. The treatment was successful and Kathleen went on with her life as any normal little girl would. However, children are especially vulnerable to various modalities of treatment as their healthy tissues are still rapidly growing and the effects of treatment, particularly radiation, are magnified.

Article Update May 8, 2018: Katie graduated from the University of Georgia on May 4, 2018, with a degree in statistics and was inducted in Mu Sigma Rho, a National Statistical Honor Society. She will continue her studies with a biostatistics internship at Emory University this summer and a two-year biostatistics Master’s degree program at the University of Michigan this fall. Thanks to Marcy, Katie’s mom, for letting us know how well she is doing.

“Any time whatever I am facing in life starts to feel challenging, I remember where I’ve been and what I’ve been through. It reminds me of how strong I really am and how I’ve been guided and blessed even in the darkest times in my life,” said Anastasia Spiecker.