Celebrity News April 03, 2026
'The Pitt’: How Katherine LaNasa’s Cancer Battle Helped Her Become Nurse Dana
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"The Pitt's" Katherine LaNasa is winning major praise and headlines for the storyline this season where she helps a victim of sexual assault.
LaNasa modeled that side of her character on a raw moment she shared with the staff treating her cancer.
“Extra” spoke with Katherine, who nabbed the role a year after she finished her real-life cancer treatment.
Along with saying that her own experience with cancer helped prepare her for the role, Katherine added that when she was having her “very worst day,” a caregiver took her in her arms and said, “Listen to me. You know, the first six months after cancer are really bumpy. My sister-in-law just went through this. You’re going to be okay."
“It mattered and I brought all of that into Dana,” Katherine went on. “I’m trying to show that woman.”
LaNasa believes the series has found a sweet spot to make a lasting impact, saying, "I think the show is really compassionate."
Thanks to her relatable performance, Katherine is now the toast of Hollywood, making fashion statements on red carpets and even making a splash at Paris Fashion Week.
