Whoever said "you can't keep a good woman down", must have been talking about Kim Goebel. Kim fully embraced life with a passion that was contagious. Even after a diagnosis of cancer in 1999 at the age of 43, her vitality never wavered. In fact, she applied the same tireless dedication and perseverance for her family and work to her fight for life. Doctors and nurses knew her as the woman who always had a smile on her face, no matter what the obstacle. Kim Goebel was full of joy and overflowing with compassion. She was loved by everyone who knew her.

Although her disposition was naturally jubilant, most days after treatments Kim heard stories from other patients that brought her to tears.They gave tragic accounts of how cancer had caused so much suffering in their lives. Some women had husbands who had lost patience and left them suddenly alone with no emotional or financial support either for themselves or their children. Others told stories of terrible poverty the cancer had caused, having no insurance to pay for their treatments. Some couldn't even afford a taxi or bus fare to get to the hospital.

She heard so many different heartbreaking stories from each person. Even as she fought for her own life Kim was inspired to help fellow cancer victims. While receiving chemo treatment, Kim became acutely aware that many women with cancer found it difficult to explain to their children what was happening to them. The effects of the disease and its treatment, particularly the dramatic hair loss, was very disturbing to them.

Although she never had children of her own, Kim's compassion led her to create a doll and a book that would help parents explain these startling changes in their lives. The doll and book help explain hair loss from chemotherapy through play therapy, an effective avenue to teach children. She envisioned the Kimmie Cares doll as a way to help ease the pain of cancer in a family by bringing both parents and children closer together. It was her way of reducing some of the anguish children go through as they see their mothers and fathers suffer from the effects of this disease. The doll and book help kids cope with cancer, in their own way.

With the help of her older sister, Kris, and with support from her family and friends, both the Kimmie Cares doll and Partners for a Cure Foundation were born.

Kim Goebel is deeply missed by all, but her legacy lives on. She inspired the creation of the Kimmie Cares doll and established the Partners for a Cure Foundation, whose mission is to help enrich the lives of those affected by cancer.