UPDATE: Almost a month after finally seeing her favorite band Coldplay play live in the Philippines, this fan who was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer, has passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
This single mother is currently fighting stage 3 cervical cancer for her three children, who are all minors.
“Siya rin ‘yong isa sa breadwinner ng family niya. So isa siya sa talagang nag susupport given na may kids na siya,” Kate Oliveros’ close friend, Karen Arguelles said.
According to Karen, Kate first felt the symptoms in June 2022.
After her check-up in September 2022, they found out that Kate had a 6cm (about 2.36 in) lump on her cervix.
“Kasi mataas ‘yong pain tolerance niya so hindi niya ‘yon ininda not until I think that was around September na talagang hindi na niya kinaya,” Karen told The Philippine STAR.
She then started undergoing chemotherapy while looking after her kids and working full-time as an IT professional.
“We’ve been with her as in talagang kasama niya kami. From time to time may sumasama sa kanya sa chemotherapy sessions niya. 2023 I think natapos niya ‘yong sessions niya. After a couple of months, naging okay na siya kasi parang monitoring na lang with her OB,” Karen recalled.
Adding, “June 2023, no’ng nagkaroon siya ng fever ng on and off. Nalaman niya na nag reoccur ‘yong cancer niya and she needs to go another series of chemotherapy sessions.”
Karen said that Kate had a hard time dealing with her second chemotherapy treatment.
“Hindi maganda ‘yong side effects. Dun na nag-start ‘yong hair niya, maglagas. Sobrang tired na siya. ‘Yong gusto na niyang mag-give up. Talagang kinakaya niya lang, sobrang strong niya talag,“ she said.
Kate is a huge fan of the British band, Coldplay. She wasn’t lucky enough to watch their first-ever concert in the country in 2017.
This year, despite her condition, she pushed through to watch her favorite band last January 19, 2024.
“Kahit she’s feeling weak, talagang pinilit niya na makapunta. Right before pumunta siya ng concert, nagpa-lab test pa siya. Given her condition, ‘yong OB niya, is supportive of her and she’s cleared na pumunta sa concert,” Karen said.
Kate became emotional while singing her favorite Coldplay songs.
“I cried really hard, ramdam na ramdam ko ‘yong happiness niya,” Karen stressed.
“‘Yong mga songs ng [Coldplay] naging kapitan niya during the times na malungkot siya, nahihirapan siya. Hindi lang itong just because ‘yong nagkasakit. Buong buhay niya na nagfa-face siya ng challenges sa life, ‘yun ‘yong naging comfort niya talaga,” she added.
Kate did not finish the two-hour concert due to exhaustion.
“Hindi niya natapos ‘yong last two songs. Gusto niya humiga. Thankfully, safe naman siyang nakauwi. Mga after two or three days na confine siya sa hospital. Nag-suffer na siya ng stroke. ‘Yong left side of her body is unable to move na. Medyo nahihirapan na siyang magsalita kasi hindi na siya clear as before. Pero, her mind is still sharp,” Karen said as she shared Kate’s current condition.
Despite the pain and other hardships in life, Kate still chooses to fight every day.
“‘Yong main reason niya why she’s still fighting, CUT it’s because of her three kids. Kasi her youngest daughter is just four years old. Ang hirap kung talagang iisipin mo,” said Karen.
To those who want to help Kate you may send your donations:
Katherine E. Oliveros
BDO – 0006-7086-1235
BPI – 0169-1727-22
GCASH – 0919-228-5835
