Katie Coleman: Life is short, make every moment count

Katie Coleman shared on X:

“A couple years ago, the fact that I was shifting industries and my career after a stage IV cancer diagnosis caused quite the controversy. Many people were quite opinionated over the fact I was spending my time working.

Since then, I have started a non-profit, funded a grant, written a memoir, signed a book deal, donated the proceeds from said book deal, built several websites/web apps, started a podcast, joined the Rare Cancer Research Foundation, given talks and presentations, and advocated nationally for other patients. I’ve also never felt more fulfilled.

I had a potential prognosis shift about 6 months into my diagnosis. No one really knew for sure, but we were hopeful. Navigating life at 30 years old, when you can’t make any long-term plans, is near impossible.

But I was off treatment, recognized how fortunate I was and wasn’t about to waste that time. So, I focused all my attention on using the time I had to make the biggest impact I could for others, 3 months at a time.

After a few years, those efforts add up. Occasionally these days, I find myself humbled by where life has taken me, by the fact I’m not only still here but that I wake up every single day and get to follow my passion.

And I often find myself reflecting on how different life might have been if I’d let how others thought I should be living my life dictate my path.

Today was one of those days. While I don’t wish cancer on anyone, I do wish everyone could experience the joy that comes from finding purpose and following your passion, a focus my diagnosis gave me.

Don’t let it take a life threatening illness to find yours. Life is short- make every moment count.”

Link to video.
Source: Katie Coleman/X

Katie Coleman, Product and Engineering Lead at the Rare Cancer Research Foundation and President of the Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance (COA), is a dedicated software engineer with a mission for creating intuitive, user-friendly products.

As a rare kidney cancer survivor, she is deeply committed to medical research and advocacy.

Her personal experience helps her to promote collaborations that advance rare cancer research. Katie combines her technical expertise and unique perspective to develop products that improve patient outcomes and support the foundation’s mission.