The Louise Kuchel
Clinical Trials Advocacy Program
Friends and Family Share Their Tributes
Lou, I think you might have been one of the greatest warriors I have ever encountered. I can only imagine how those once warriors will regale you when your ascension takes you to that final place where the heavens gather to lay upon your head a crown; a halo of everlasting freedom and release... this is what I imagine for you.... there could be nothing less for a warrior so great.
It is at times like these, I come to realize that my lifes' work has placed me in a position that allows me to encounter such greatness, observe grace steeped in dignity, and courage that knows no boundaries. It is my profession that led me to your path. Our conversations, though few and brief... contained texts or Facebook posts that often exchanged mutual support, mutual respect, mutual adoration, and sincerity. As a nurse, my role was always to address your concerns and support your decisions. Each of you chart your own journey, so it is no surprise that you alone designed a path adorned with hope in full bloom... with brief moments that flowered into an endless sea of joy for you and your family, and you paid it forward to other members of the group.
You showed them all that the greatest weapon in their arsenal is the desire in their soul to see their battle through, and never give in. I am most sure that today, angels will cry at the thought of cradling you to their bosom once more...holding you tightly while those of us left here, try to hold onto any thread of correspondence... any memory that ignites an image of a great soul that unselfishly nurtured our own souls with laughter and an endless ease.
The heavens will light your path and line the streets with gold and silver as a great warrior returns home today... as you return home. And we...we will forever mark this day when one tiny dayblind star went forever dark in the sky above us. I will miss your illuminating wit and laughter, my friend. Lou Kuchel... Date of ascension: 23, July 2023... let grace and dignity carry you home... and mighty wings be your chariot.
Carm Fazio
We deeply mourn the passing yesterday morning in Sydney of dear Louise Kuchel, our chairman of Exon 20 Group-Australia, a star of virtual meetings with Australian patients and care partners, and a shining light in our Virtual Meeting group moderated by Caren Suesserman. Lou was an absolute force of nature.
Lou was one of our top fundraisers in the Exon 20 Group, and all of the funds that she has raised since 2022 were allocated on December 30, 2022 to targeted research programs where we are expecting measurable results on topics such as LMD, resistance mutations, and work on EGFR and HER2 exon 20 drug development. Had she lived, she would have been orchestrating this year, in "vintage Lou" style, a swim from one beach in Sydney, Australia to another as a fundraiser for the Exon 20 Group.
Whether working with the Thoracic Oncology Group of Australia on heightening awareness of thoracic oncologists in Australia about never smoker lung cancer and exon 20, or designing and producing wonderful T-shirts for the Exon 20 Group, or serving as one of our top Exon 20 Group/ICAN donors, ambassadors, and leaders (her Louise Kuchel Clinical Trials Advocacy Program will remain our beacon of bringing new clinical trials to Australia which we are currently working on), Lou was fearless in her drive to move this field forward and in galvanizing family, friends, and fellow patient families to support our mission.
We will always cherish Lou and honor her legacy. Our hearts go out to her husband Ash, her sons, her parents, her sister, and the huge number of people that Lou touched on several continents.
If any family members or friends of Lou would like to write a tribute to Lou, because we know she interacted with so many patients spouses/partners through Facebook and phone calls, please email us at ICANCancerPrograms@askican.org and we will post it here.
In sadness,
Marcia Horn
Director, Exon 20 Group
marcia@askican.org
July 24, 2023
Today we lost an amazing soul. A life lost way too soon. Lou was only 51 years old. She was an advocate for children with disabilities and then became an amazing advocate and ambassador in the lung cancer community (she represented Exon 20 folks in Australia as chair of our Exon 20 Group-Australia) she was a friend to many. She was fierce and relentless and her love for her family came out in every conversation. Lou Kuchel you will be missed! I know Sherm and the rest of our heavenly Exon 20 family met you with open arms! Lou, I will miss our late night messages—you fought the fight and you did well! You helped so many while fighting your own battle! You were an inspiration to many! You left an amazing legacy of determination and love for your children! I know they are proud of you. 🙏🙏🙏
I am so sorry for your loss. I met Lou through our Exon 20 family. She was an amazing force to be reckoned with! I loved her spirit and although we never met in person we will forever be part of an amazing Exon 20 family. Hugs to your entire family and all those who loved her. Such a huge loss to everyone and to our Exon 20 family! Love you Lou 💙🙏💙
Susan Johnson, Patient Advocate, Exon 20 Group
To submit your own tribute about Louise here, please email us at ICANCancerPrograms@askican.org and we will post it within 24 hours. Please include your phone number.
The Louise Kuchel Clinical Trials Advocacy Program
is a vital part of ICAN's Cancer Patient Advocacy and Clinical Trials Program Advocacy Services.
Federal Tax I.D.: EIN 86-0818253