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CCA mourns devastating loss of Patty
Patty Kaipat dedicated her life to the war against cancer. As an advocate, she spent countless hours organizing outreach events at schools, homes, churches, businesses, and government offices driving the mission of our organization, encouraging the members of the community to get screened for cancer, promoting education about all types of cancers and their risk factors, advocating for better laws to protect our children and help create healthier communities, and simply giving hope and relief to those fighting cancer.
As a patient navigator, she helped hundreds, if not thousands, of cancer patients, caretakers, and family members through their own fight to defeat cancer. And never once have I heard her complain about the enormous workload presented to her, because to Patty every life mattered. Every single one. She gave her time, energy, and soul to help everyone who came into our organization. Her gentle yet energetic demeanor made it easy for her to connect with literally anyone. Even when she knew she was ill she still wanted to come to work because she said her patients needed her. And when she no longer had the energy to come into the office, she was insistent to use her phone to text or call our patients. She fought for her community until the very end. That was the type of heart and selflessness we all knew that characterized Patty.
I join my board of directors, our executive director, our MMAC committee and members of our organization in mourning the loss of Patty. She was a tireless, energetic warrior who didn’t know how to quit. We will miss her dearly. We also extend our deepest condolences and prayers to her family and to her five children.
Rest in paradise, Patty. We love you.
Bo Palacios
President, Commonwealth Cancer Association
