Barefoot Investor Scott Pape responds to desperate mother-of-three diagnosed with breast cancer

Finance guru Scott Pape has shared the advice he gave to a ‘terrified’ mother-of-three recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

Kate, 31, who lives in a mining town in Western Australia, reached out for help after receiving a terrifying diagnosis as she prepared to give birth to her third child. 

She and her husband had made the 1,400km journey to a town called Bunbury when doctors spotted a worrying lump on her breast. 

The lump turned out to be an aggressive form of breast cancer, with doctors advising Kate to give birth the very next day so she could start treatment. 

She quickly realised that her husband, a carpenter, would soon be caring for a wife with cancer, a newborn, and their other young children, aged two and four.

Overwhelmed, she emailed the Barefoot Investor author for advice. 

Mr Pape (pictured with his wife Liz) reassured the young mum that she wasn’t alone, and that the world is full of kind and generous people that he would try and connect her with

He quickly sprung into action and gave Kate a call. 

Through tears, the young mum said she didn’t have any family to help and that she was ‘totally overwhelmed’ by what lay ahead of her. 

Mr Pape reassured her that she wasn’t alone, and that the world is full of kind and generous people that he would try and connect her with. 

His first call was to the global head of media at BHP, the mining company the couple is working remotely for, to see what they could do. 

They offered counselling, carer’s leave and flexible work arrangements. 

Next, Mr Pape spoke to Kate’s private health fund. 

He asked for a forecast of the couple’s out-of-pocket expenses for the next 12 months so they could better manage their outgoings. 

Finally, the finance guru cashed in a few favours with several lawyers he knows. 

He asked them to help Kate look into any total and permanent disability (TPD) payments she might be able to claim via her superannuation. 

Even Mr Pape’s kid’s did what they could to help Kate after hearing about her harrowing ordeal. 

Even Mr Pape’s kid’s did what they could to help Kate after hearing about Kate’s harrowing ordeal 

‘The kids listened, got out their Give jars, and collectively donated $12.80 to their GoFundMe page,’ he said. 

‘Every bit of kindness helps.’

Mr Pape also shared a message from Kate as she begins cancer treatment. 

‘I’m a fit 31-year-old mum of three beautiful children,’ she said. 

‘There is no history of breast cancer in my family. I didn’t expect this to happen to me, and I don’t want it to happen to you. So, please, check your boobs.’