Former Carson City dancer, Karau dies

Alicia Karau, who performed in the Western Nevada College's 2002 production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," died Tuesday evening following a long battle with cancer.

An aspiring dancer, singer and actress, Karau, 25, was diagnosed with cancer during the run of the play in Carson City.

The next year, her leg was amputated, but she wasn't ready to let go of her dreams - and neither was the community.

After a Nov. 18 article in the Nevada Appeal, donations came pouring in to Karau's medical fund.

Stephanie Arrigotti, artistic director of Karau's former dance company - Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company at Western Nevada Community College - sought donations at a subsequent show.

The community raised about $6,000, then Reno stock investor G. Geoffrey Edwards donated $39,000 to Karau through the Reno Cancer Foundation, the balance needed to buy a sophisticated prosthetic.

Arrigotti stayed in touch with Karau as she went off to college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas then returned to Reno to work as a news producer for KRNV Channel 4.

She said Karau's cancer returned in 2005.

"Her doctors said it was so virulent that no chemo available could treat it and gave her a few weeks to live," Arrigotti wrote in an e-mail. "Alicia refused to accept this and insisted on taking any new chemo available, no matter how it sickened her, to grasp for any chance to stay alive. Her determination was mind-boggling."

Just a week ago, Karau served as maid of honor in her sister's wedding, Arrigotti said.

"Alicia used two words to describe herself: Passionate and strong," she said. "I completely agree. You couldn't have any contact with her without being overwhelmed by her determination to live an amazing life."