Kate Romano

Kate Romano

Aurora, Ill., Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center

Cancer has been a familiar foe in Kate’s family. Her mom, sister, niece and three aunts are breast cancer survivors. Seeking opportunities to volunteer and serve those battling cancer, the former self-described “beauty product junkie” came across an online posting for a career as a “touch therapist” and discovered a new career calling. At the Waterford Place Cancer Resource Center, Kate met mentor Jerilyn O’Brien who helped her master not only the techniques of therapeutic touch, but the craft of healing the scars that cancer inflicts mentally and physically on a patient. Kate says her greatest satisfaction comes from the “smiles, sense of peace and knowledge that I can in some way help someone’s spirit heal.” Watch Kate’s application video here.