Kate Kaufling, a University of Kentucky dancer, died after a battle with bone cancer, the athletics department announced. She was twenty.
The college sophomore and dance team member received an osteosarcoma diagnosis in June, just weeks after she noticed a few bumps and swollen lymph nodes, according to a GoFundMe website. She died Sunday.
“In addition to being a talented dancer, Kate was an amazing student in the College of Nursing who took her academics very seriously,” Sandy Bell, the university’s executive assistant athletics director, stated in a department news release. “Even during her cancer treatments, Kate kept up with her studies, setting an amazing example for her teammates.”
According to the news release, head coach Dawn Walters praised Kaufling as a cherished member of her team, with a smile that could light up a room.
“We are all saddened by Kate’s passing,” Walters added. “We shall remember her for her courageous struggle with osteosarcoma throughout the last year. She fought bravely until the end, inspiring us all with her tremendous war.
Kaufling joined team with twin sister
In the fall of 2023, Kaufling and her twin sister Abbey joined the dance team, according to the news release.
Mont Dawson, a sports photographer, uploaded images of the performance on Facebook in the hopes of providing her family with “some peace and comfort and a reminder of the good times with our precious Kate Kaufling.”
“The drive, motivation, and balance she had for her extremely busy lifestyle absolutely fascinated me,” said Kaufling’s friend Sydney Lanham on Facebook in June, following her diagnosis. “Not a day would go by during the school year where Kate would slack off or take off.”
During her battle, a secret Facebook community called “Kate’s Krew—Kate’s Fight Against Osteosarcoma” gathered support for Kaufling.
Funeral arrangements were pending as of Monday, according to UK Athletics. Her parents, Holly and Steve Kaufling, also survive her.
