Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Chaney.
Hi Kate, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Jeff and I, with the support of our community, built The Paul Chaney Memorial Foundation as a way to channel deep grief into hope for the future.
September 12, 2022, our only child, Paul Chaney, 20 years old, was killed in a motor vehicle accident. He was driving to work on his motorcycle when a negligent driver failed to yield at a busy Ward Parkway intersection. In the wake of that loss, with a desire to build a legacy in his name, my husband and I, along with Matt Karstetter and the staff of The Foundation Gyms, started The Paul Chaney Fitness Fundraiser to benefit KC PAWS and Midwest Transplant Network. Not only has this become an annual event, we are proud to share that we are now a registered 501c3, The Paul Chaney Memorial Foundation.
I’d like to share a little about our son with you. He was an old soul. Kind and emotionally generous. To his friends, he was a fierce protector and would show up to sit with you in your darkest hour. We know this because of the countless friends who wrote letters and shared stories with us. As a personal trainer, he took pride in helping others make positive changes in their lives. Again, numerous members shared that Paul’s positive energy was a big part of their experience at The Foundation. One member approached me after the funeral and said, “You don’t know me, but your son changed my life.” Paul was a lifelong dog lover. When he died, he left behind Alice, the husky who owned his heart. This event is our way to honor both of them and their connection.
Paul’s heart was big, and he was just beginning to dream and experience his potential.
True to form, Paul designated himself as an organ donor on his driver’s license. Because of that, he continues to change lives even in death. As an organ donor, he saved 5 lives and changed countless more.
Over the past 3.5 years, we have been working to grow our impact. KC PAWS continues to be a primary focus as we work with them to grow their fundraising and community awareness. This small organization makes a big impact on our canine rescue community and beyond. (maybe link profile for Michelle Lascon?) We have supported this organization for decades as doggy daycare clients (KC PAWS has a boarding and day care business to help support the 501c3 rescue). PAWS is our pups home away from home. With the fundraiser, we have learned so much more about who they are and their impact on canine rescue. We feel their mission and work align with Paul’s values on a deep level: showing up for those in need in their darkest hour.
Midwest Transplant Network needs little explanation. In addition to honoring Paul’s choice to be an organ donor, we remain involved with MTN to honor the tremendous compassion and support they provided, walking us through our most painful moments of life. The presence each representative held for us on that journey requires a depth of compassion and courage most cannot imagine. We are eternally grateful to each and every member of MTN who held our hand then and continue to show up for us even now.
One way we honor Paul’s choice as an organ donor is through our annual blood drive with Community Blood Center, The Paul Chaney Memorial Blood Drive. We just hosted the second annual event this past April and already have 2027 on the calendar. What makes this one different isn’t just the memorial part. Like everything we do, we look to create community and connection through the event. This year, we doubled last year’s donations collecting 61 total units. The drive is held at HJ’s in Brookside with music from local artists, food from Cosentino’s Brookside Market, and representatives from both KC PAWS and Midwest Transplant Network. The event is packed, even those who cannot donate love to come and be part of the community. Dogs, music, food, and a chance to save a life!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Most definitely not. There is nothing “smooth” about grief. It is gritty and sneaky. It is also what pushes us to move through the challenges and hard work of building something new. Committing to this foundation and the fundraisers means being constantly present with our why and always immersed in stories and pictures. The only way not to be on this bumpy road would be to have our son back. That’s not an option, so neither is this road. Building this foundation and creating positive change in Paul’s name is the closest we can be to him while still living and thriving in this world. Grieving parents navigate pain everyday. We are grateful to have a way to metabolize this into hope in the bigger world. It is what Paul would want.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We both have professional lives in addition to building this foundation.
Jeff is the founder/owner of Chaney Painting, which has been in business for over 27 years, specializing in residential repaints and some commercial clients as well. I am incredibly proud of him and his team, many of whom have been with us for over 15 years. In this business, that says something about the integrity of the company and its leadership. (https://chaneypainting.hostedlandingpage.com/)
Before losing Paul, I was thriving in my coaching business. I truly love what I do. However, I stepped away as I could not be present for my clients in the early days of my grief. While I have maintained a few clients, my path became more about building the foundation and supporting KC PAWS. This felt purposeful to me in a way that allowed me to do meaningful work while learning to integrate grief into my life. Today, I am actively rebuilding my coaching practice. I am certainly not the same person I was 3.5 years ago. I have expanded as a person, deepened in my ability to hold presence for others, and am living the day-to-day experience of making space for grief while holding the light for hope. I am excited to welcome new clients. Coaching has always been a place of hope and purpose for me. (katechaney.com)
.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
The 5th Annual Paul Chaney Fitness Fundraiser is Saturday, October 10, 2026. We are
so excited about all the ways we are growing and expanding. This year, we are
partnering with City Gym as our host. This community has been an important part of our
family’s lives since opening their doors in 2011.
PCFF is all about bringing the energy, encouraging fitness and community, and making a
positive impact in Paul’s name. What you can expect: Music from DJ PK, local vendors,
5K fun run/walk, fitness events for all levels, pups from KC PAWS, and representation
from Midwest Transplant Network. For more information, check out our website and
follow us on social media.
We are proud of the work we are doing and excited about all the ways our partnership
with KC PAWS is building hope for their future. Be sure to follow us and check out our
website. We can’t wait to share what’s coming next!
We would like to express our deep gratitude to all the businesses that have sponsored
our efforts: Cosentino’s Catering, Cosentino’s Brookside Market, Almar Printing, DJ
Ashton Martin and DJ PK, Springboard Creative, The Foundation Gyms, City Gym, and
so many others. We couldn’t do this without our family, community, and sponsors.
**Pictured above is Sue, the recipient of Paul’s lungs. She is with a group of his friends
at the Paul Chaney Fitness Fundraiser, 2025. She had just completed her first-ever 5K!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.paulchaneyfitnessfundraiser.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulchaneyfitnessfundraiser/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulchaneyfitnessfundraiser
- Other: https://katechaney.com
