ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
When someone we love is living with cancer, grief often begins long before a loss occurs. In this video, Kathy Benich shares reflections on anticipatory grief, the complex emotions that can arise during illness, caregiving, uncertainty, and life transitions. This conversation offers gentle validation and support for patients, caregivers, and loved ones navigating the emotional realities of cancer.
ABOUT KATHY BENICH:
Kathy Benich is the founder of Marigold Path, a Kansas City-based practice focused on end-of-life doula support, grief coaching, and death literacy education. After caregiving for both her husband during cancer and later her mother, Kathy shifted her career toward helping individuals and families navigate serious illness, caregiving, grief, and end-of-life planning with greater compassion and preparedness.
Kathy is an active patient advocate through PIVOT (Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together) at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, where she helps bring the patient and caregiver perspective into cancer research and care discussions. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Gilda’s Club Kansas City, a community organization supporting individuals and families impacted by cancer.
In addition, Kathy volunteers as an End-of-Life Doula with Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care and co-facilitates grief support groups through Solace House.
Through workshops, writing, speaking, and supportive conversations, Kathy helps people approach difficult topics with humanity, connection, and care.