Kathy’s Story

Site created on January 2, 2020

Dear Friends and Family,

Welcome to Kathy Phillips’ CaringBridge website! Through this site you can learn more about Kathy’s journey, receive updates, hear about ways to help, and most important continue to send love, positive energy, inspiration, joy, laughter, and prayers her way.


Brief overview of Kathy's journey and update 

On October 11th, 2017 Kathy Phillips, our dear friend, sister, colleague, mentor, cousin, aunt, daughter, wife of Damon Phillips, and mother of Kinara and Amali (as well as spiritual and academic mother to many!) was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. She was treated at Mount Sinai and emerged cancer free on October 23rd, 2018. In July 2019, the cancer returned and she began an immunotherapy protocol. For a detailed chronicle of her journey see the "Kathy's Facebook Posts Chronicling Her Journey" Journal entry dated Jan 2nd.


Over the Christmas holiday on Monday, December 23rd, she wasn’t feeling well and went to the emergency room. She was there through Saturday, December 28th and testing showed that the cancer had spread to her cerebral spinal fluid. She has been home since and is being showered with love and care from friends and family. The outreach and support have been tremendous and are reflective of the loving and caring person Kathy is to so many. On December 31st she started a new chemo therapy regimen and on January 22nd she will begin proton therapy which is a cutting edge radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. She is tired, and not without pain, but in good spirits and in great hands with Damon, the girls, and so many others by her side.

We know you are eager to help! On the "Ways to help" page are several ideas for ways you can support Kathy and the family.  There are many moving parts right now, so don't expect a (fast) response from Damon or Kathy if you contact them directly. It's also best not to just drop in. If you're thinking of coming to NY for at least a day to support the family, contact both Modupe (makinola@columbia.edu) and Denise (deniselewinloyd@gmail.com) who are coordinating visits.

With love,

Kathy's family and friends


Newest Update

Katherine W. Phillips Professorship and Katherine W. Phillips ECDC Best Paper Award

Journal entry by Modupe Akinola —

Dear friends and family,

Hope you are doing well and staying safe and healthy!  

I write to share some good news with you about two honors Kathy has received. Yesterday, the Dean of Columbia Business School, Costis Maglaras, announced the creation of a new professorship, The Katherine W. Phillips Professorship of Business. This was made possible through the generous support of an alum who wanted a professorship that honored someone who embodies the values of the School, University, and community. What an amazing way to honor Kathy’s legacy and special thanks to Costis for making this happen! 

But the good news doesn’t stop there…

An award was created in Kathy’s honor by the Columbia and NYU Business School doctoral students. They host an annual conference called the East Coast Doctoral Conference (ECDC) where a best paper is selected. They award is now named the Katherine W. Phillips Best Paper Award. Although the conference was cancelled due to COVID-19, there was an award recipient, Patryk Perkowski, a Columbia Business School graduate student. I’ve attached a picture of the award for all of you to see. 

While the world continues to adjust to the pandemic we’re facing, one thing remains clear – Kathy’s light continues to shine so brightly!

Sending lots of love and positive energy to each of you. And in the words of Kathy, make sure to pour love into someone this weekend!

-Modupe

Read More of the journal titled "Katherine W. Phillips Professorship and Katherine W. Phillips ECDC Best Paper Award"
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