Defying the Odds

Kaity Kasper is a young, successful professional, with a penchant for fashion and the color pink. She is also a cancer survivor.  With an average age for cancer diagnosis in the United States of 66 and with only 2.7% of cancer patients each year diagnosed between the ages of 20-34, this makes Kaity’s position rather unique. 

This year, Kaity will put those startling statistics behind her and commemorate her personal achievement of 11 years of survivorship by chairing the Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. Massey Challenge, VCU Massey Cancer Center’s annual effort to raise funds for cancer research through a partnership with the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k.

As the chair for the HDL, Inc. Massey Challenge, Kaity aims to broaden and expand its reach farther than ever. “The outpouring of support from the local community is fantastic,” says Kasper. “Our goal is to inspire action among a lot of people. All of those actions, whether big or small, create a large impact that everyone is a part of.”

Kaity’s participation in numerous volunteer activities supporting Massey stems from her passion to give back in support of the physicians and research that made her treatment a success. Kaity was diagnosed in 2002 with stage IIB Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She was successfully treated at Massey with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  In October of 2010, she also discovered through genetic counseling at Massey that she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation – known to most people as the “breast and ovarian cancer gene.” Those with this mutation have a significantly increased risk of developing aggressive breast and ovarian cancers in their lifetime. For Kaity, her history of Hodgkin’s Disease in her chest and abdomen – that number skyrockets further. 

“Where I once went to the folks at Massey asking them to help save my present, I now find myself asking them to help ensure my future,” says Kasper. “Once again, the compassion, determination, and knowledge with which my oncologists are approaching my case gives me unwavering faith that together we will find a way to make this all okay.”

“I love the Massey Challenge because of the way it brings the community together. Both the 10k and Massey are so well-loved in Richmond. The Challenge allows members of our community to learn about Massey’s important mission and to support its work. I tell people not to be overwhelmed, it’s easier than they think to participate and everyone has a connection. I would love to see everyone running the 10k wearing our yellow shirts on race day!”