Childhood cancer survivor turned social worker, Katelyn Tillman helps patients at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital
"My experience of being in the hospital at a young age has given me a unique perspective on the types of support they need during what can be a very difficult and scary time,” said Katelyn Tillman.
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 13, Katelyn Tillman spent months-long stretches of her teenage years in a hospital undergoing bone cancer treatment and fighting to stay alive. A decade later the recent college graduate now chooses to be in a hospital setting where she can help other children strive for positive outcomes.
“The most rewarding part of my job is being able to see children leave the hospital with their families,” she said. “It’s very exciting to see a child recover and get to go home.”
Tillman was hired as a social worker at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital in August 2024.
“I knew I wanted to work here because it allows me to help families in the community who have a sick child,” said Tillman. “These families come to Children’s & Women’s for treatment, and my experience of being in the hospital at a young age has given me a unique perspective on the types of support they need during what can be a very difficult and scary time.”
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2014, Tillman traveled weekly to receive chemotherapy. After a few months, she underwent a surgical procedure to remove a tumor in her left leg along with part of her femur and knee. Tillman’s leg was amputated in January 2015.
By July that year, the cancer had metastasized to her lungs. A re-section surgery and a lobectomy were performed, where the lower left lobe of Tillman’s lung was removed. Radiation and chemotherapy followed.
Tillman experienced shortness of breath less than a year later; she developed toxicity in her lungs and spent the next 170 days – nearly six months – in the hospital. She was in a coma and woke up in March 2016, and spoke for the first time in 11 weeks. Tillman was released to go home in July of that year, where she remained on a ventilator to help her breathe.
Following treatment, Tillman volunteered at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital where she was able to connect with other children and young adults who have experienced similar diagnoses. She finished high school at Faith Academy, graduating in May 2020, and attended college at USA where she received her degree in social work.
“Katelyn is an extremely hard worker, has incredible determination, a great attitude, and is a team player,” said Nicoll Mastin, RN, BSN, assistant director of care management at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Katelyn is living proof that anyone who has physical limitations can achieve their dreams and goals with determination and perseverance. She is truly an inspiration and role model to those around her!”
Tillman said the main thing she wants newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families to know is to keep looking forward. “Many times, on this journey it is easy to get caught up in the difficulty and scariness of the current treatment,” she said. “I know from experience it can be hard to think about what life will look like after treatment, but looking to the future can help give motivation to keep fighting.”
To learn more about Tillman’s childhood journey with cancer, visit her Facebook support page @TeamKatelyn.
