You found a Kate's Panda.
Someone left it here, hiding in a small corner of the world, because they were thinking of you. Or maybe they personally handed it to you because they wanted to bring a smile to your day. This little panda has traveled a long way to remind you of something simple: You are loved. And whatever you're carrying right now — you can get through it.
Who Kate Was
Kate McKay loved to dance, loved people, and loved God. She started dancing at age two and never stopped — working hard, cheering for her friends, and never once comparing herself to anyone else. She knew exactly who she was.
In April 2018, at nine years old, Kate was diagnosed with leukemia. Her fight was short. Just twenty days after her diagnosis, she went home to heaven— surrounded by love, right to the end.
But even in the hardest days of her short life, Kate's faith never wavered. What she wrote from her hospital bed is why this panda sticker exists.
On April 10, 2018, hooked up to a chemotherapy machine, nine-year-old Kate wrote this prayer in her journal:
I started chemo today. I'm glad it didn't hurt because I'm covered in your prayers.
Prayer — even in the hard and hurting, you are still my Father. Lord, I praise you even when I'm weak, and I thank you, Lord, for everything you've done to me. And I ask you not only to heal me, but everyone who needs it. Amen.
She wasn't just praying for herself. She was praying for you.
Getting Through Hard Things — Kate's Prayer, Step by Step
In this message, Kate's mom walks through this prayer line by line — and what it can teach anyone walking through a hard season of their own.
Wherever you are right now, however hard it feels — you are not alone, and you are not forgotten. Someone, somewhere, thought of you enough to leave this here for you to find.
Kate believed that no matter how hard things got or how weak she felt, God was still her Father, still good, and still worth praising. That kind of faith carried her through the hardest days of her life. We hope it can carry you too.
Kate's story lives on through Kate's Legacy, a scholarship fund for young dancers created in her honor.
Did you find a Kate's Panda? We'd love to hear about it.
Where did you find it? What was going on in your life that day? We read every story, and with your permission, we may share it here to encourage others.
We would be honored to pray for you.
Whatever you're facing, you don't have to face it alone. Share what's on your heart, and it will come straight to us — not published, just prayed over.
Want to send a little hope to someone who needs it?
For a suggested donation to Kate's Legacy Scholarship Fund, we'll mail you a set of Kate's Panda stickers — to hide somewhere unexpected, tuck into a card, or hand to someone who could use a reminder that they're loved.
Step 1 — Make a donation
Head over to Kate's Legacy and make a donation in any amount. Every dollar supports the scholarship fund created in Kate's honor.
Donate at Kate's Legacy →Step 2 — Let us know where to send your pandas
Fill out the form below and we'll get a set of 10 Kate's Pandas in the mail to you.