As an artist/painter, makeup artist, actress, and all around lover of the arts,  I love what I do, and the incredible people I have met, and I'm so grateful to call many them, not only clients but, my friends, and now supporters. Because I have been such an independent and healthy, strong woman, most people call it "shock" when I told them. "No, not you!!" one friend said. "But you're so, healthy". Yes, breast cancer doesn't care about that. But it does matter going into this healthy. Although. not a vegetarian, I do eat fish, I haven't eaten meat or fowl since I'm 12 years old. Always try to eat organic, and try to stay away from sugar. I do yoga, and try to work out a little every day. Now as a breast cancer patient in treatment, I want to help my fellow artists. I created Paint Us Pink initially, for financial help in my treatment, and in the future for woman and men in the arts in treatment for breast cancer.

KATHRINA'S STORY

SOME  OF  MY  FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS

The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson

Andrea Bocelli with a portrait I painted of him

Watch video of support from Duchess Of York Sarah Ferguson 

   TV and Radio Host Rita Cosby

Watch the video of support from Andrea Bocelli

Founder Kathrina Miccio

MY TWO CENTS ON COLD CAPS

Ok, so I've been asked about the "cold cap" that has been approved by the FDA. When my oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering told me about my cancer, he explained the cold cap to me, and pretty much shot it down immediately. My social worker explained why the hospital approved it unwillingly because women really wanted it to try to save their hair and some were switching hospitals to get it. This is how my doctor explained why they don't like it. Chemo needs to travel to every part of your body, even your brain. The cold cap which is $15,000 out of pocket, and has only a 30% chance of saving your hair. It is kept on 2 hours before chemo, during chemo sometimes 3 hours and 2 hours after. It's full of ice and freezing cold. Chemo needs to escape through the head, and this prevents and freezes the process, which ultimately the chance of brain cancer is higher. For me, this was a no brainer, no pun intended. After 5 months of chemo, surgery, radiation, antibody injections for a year, blah blah blah, I will not take that chance. My hair will grow. Don't want brain cancer to grow. My opinion. My decision.