Katy Starck-Monte, woman who inspired the #OomphForKaty campaign, talks about her journey to cancer treatment, motherhood

NEW YORK (WABC) — A Queens mother is opening up about motherhood amid her battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

Life is undoubtedly a journey, and for Katy Starck-Monte it’s more of an uncertain expedition.

“I have good days, I have bad days. I’m still a little shocked that I have cancer,” Starck-Monte said.

Starck-Monte suffers from b-cell lymphoma.

Despite her condition, she remains optimistic and is already halfway through six rounds of chemotherapy. Her doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian are hopeful the treatment will send her into remission.

“They are aggressive with the treatment because it is an aggressive cancer, so it grows very quickly,” Starck-Monte said.

Having cancer is another health hurdle the 40-year-old faces.

Eyewitness News first met Starck-Monte and her husband Joey, a New York City firefighter, in January 2015. Starck-Monte was in the hospital waiting for a new set of lungs because she has cystic fibrosis.

READ ALSO: Woman behind the OomphForKaty campaign leaves hospital with new lungs

Kemberly Richardson has the story.

In 2011, she underwent her first double lung transplant, but her body eventually rejected the organs. To keep her spirits up, her friends launched what turned into a viral social media campaign called #OomphForKaty.

Starck-Monte was quickly tickled pink when actress Blake Lively and others got involved in the campaign. A month later there was a competition and Starck-Monte went home from the hospital, but she was not out of the woods yet.

“The medications we have to take so that our body doesn’t reject the organs come with risks, such as cancer,” she said.

At the time, Starck-Monte had one wish, and in May 2021 it came true after her daughter Riley was born. Starck-Monte’s sister was her surrogate.

READ ALSO: Woman gives birth to sister’s baby after years of health problems

Stacey Sager reports on the Long Island woman’s impressive story.

Now three years old, Riley is curious and sweet, and loves to cuddle her mother.

“It makes me fight harder because I want to be there as long as possible to see her grow up,” Starck-Monte said.

Starck-Monte started chemotherapy in August and says that while she is a little nervous about the next few rounds of treatment, she knows she will get through it.

The #OomphForKaty campaign gives her renewed hope and that extra push she needs.

“My goals are to get over this, get as strong as I can, and just get back to being a full-time mom and enjoy life,” she said.

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Sam Champion discusses the treatment he received for his skin cancer and the prevention methods people can use to protect themselves.

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