Community Rallies Around Katy High School Grad Fighting Brain Cancer

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

October 12, 2021

By Natalie Cook Clark

The surrounding community continues to rally around and support Katy resident, 20-year-old Kamryn Sanamo as she fights brain cancer. A community benefit is scheduled for this weekend at the MKT Distillery.

Kamryn Sanamo. Photo courtesy Dusty Sanamo.

From Katy High to Rice University

Kamryn Sanamo graduated from Katy High School in 2019 with a 4.7458 GPA and third in the class. She was accepted on a full ride to Rice University and earned the prestigious Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP,) which means she is guaranteed acceptance into any Texas medical school.

Her studies are now on hold while she is fighting an inoperable cancerous brain tumor. She is grateful for Katy’s support.

Grateful for Katy Support

“My family and I never could have anticipated the love and support we have received from day one,” says Kamryn Sanamo. “Katy has ensured I know I am not fighting alone.”

“People that know Kamryn know she has not been dealt the best hand in life; however, she has always been the most determined, motivated and focused individual I know,” says her mom, Dusty Sanamo. “Those attributes remain the same, even after a brain cancer diagnosis at only 20 years old.”

Anyone who meets her remarks on her positive outlook and see how it drives her to help others.

“Kamryn is a blessing to not only everyone who is lucky enough to meet her but also the world,” says friend and fellow Katy High School 2019 graduate Ty Hymel. “Her unmatched desire to help others is my favorite thing about her.”

Benefit Event this Sunday

The Katy community supports Kamryn through this journey. Various groups have held benefits for her. This Sunday, October 17 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. the community will gather at MKT Distillery (5373 1st Street) for a fun family event benefitting Kamryn.

There will be a live auction, bake sale, music, Sno-Cones, bounce houses, and more. Attendees who want a Bayou Boys Lunch Plate, need to preorder in advance.

Can't make it to the event? Make a donation or contribute to the auction in the above link.

Inspired through her own Experiences

Kamryn was inspired to go into medicine from her own medical experiences and interactions with physicians.

“I decided to become a doctor because of the amazing doctors I’ve crossed paths with,” says Kamryn. She had a fasciotomy surgical procedure when she was in 7th grade. Kamryn had a 9mm hole in the facia of her right shin, believed to be a birth defect.

“I have also had 2 lumpectomies due to fibroadenomas and an appendectomy due to a ruptured appendix,” says Kamryn. “All of these operations occurred before the age of 18. The way my doctors cared for me during these encounters have inspired me to one day give back to pediatric patients myself.”

Kamryn completed two years as a pre-med student at Rice University. Days before her diagnosis she completed her first summer internship for the program at TAMU Medical School

“I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on July 9, 2021. On August 4, 2021,” says Kamryn. “I received a brain biopsy which confirmed the tumor to be cancerous, specifically a grade 4 diffuse infiltrating glioma.”

Kamryn says that this type of brain cancer is inoperable.

"Inoperable does not mean untreatable, though, and I’m making the promise today (pardon my French) that I will kick cancer’s ass," she says.

Currently she is on a medical leave from her classes at Rice University but is anxious to return.

“When I graduated high school, I was set on becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon; however, Rice University has allowed me to learn about specialties that spark my interest,” says Kamryn. “I do know I want to stick with a field within pediatric surgery.”

How to Support Bathroom Renovation

Kamryn’s daily life has changed drastically, and it is difficult for her to get around by herself. The team at Stuff the Sleigh is taking donations to help remodel her bathroom to better meet her needs.

While she’s always wanted to be a doctor, Kamryn plans to use her own medical experiences to better relate to her patients.

“I have had to undergo quite a few invasive procedures that I would describe as less than comfortable,” says Kamryn. “For example, my spinal tap and central line placement were quite unpleasant. I believe my firsthand experiences of such procedures will allow me to connect with and relate to my future patients on a much more compassionate level.”

A Longtime Katy ISD Student, Katy Tiger Fan

Kamryn moved to Katy as a first grader in 2007 and attended Katy Elementary. She then moved up through Katy schools and became a proud Katy Tiger.

“I was involved in National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Interact Club and girls basketball,” says Kamryn.

She enjoys a friendly competition with family and friends playing games and karting at Andretti Indoor Karting. Afternoons at the local dog park with her puppy are also a favorite.

“During football season, you can find me at my brothers’ Katy High School football games,” says Kamryn.

The Sanamo family is looking forward to one day being in a position to give back in such a way that compares to how they are being supported.

“There are even people who I had never even met before my diagnosis who have gone out of the way to support me,” says Kamryn.

Positive Outlook

She believes that having a positive outlook is the most important thing someone can do when going through a hardship. She admits that focusing on her diagnosis would have been easier.

“I have chosen to embrace the learning opportunities and experiences my diagnosis is granting to my future medical career,” says Kamryn.

The Katy community is behind her fight.

“Cancer will merely be a speed bump in Kamryn’s life,” says her mom, Dusty Sanamo.

Follow Kamryn’s journey here and consider attending her benefit this Sunday at MKT Distillery.