February has wrapped up, ending National Cancer Prevention Month, however these two sister continue to raise awareness and fundraise in their mothers honour.
Kate Mckittrick and Sophie Mckittrick remember their mother Sue Mckittrick as “loved by all her co-workers and friends” They shared she had a “positive attitude and lived by her bucket list”. The girls wanted a way to keep that alive even after loosing Sue.
Sue was diagnosed the first time with stage 2 breast cancer after her youngest daughter Sophie Mckittrick was born. Sue went through treatment receiving radiation and overcame her diagnosis. Sue was then diagnosed a second time with stage 2 breast cancer, She fought again and was cleared until the cancer returned in her bones, she received a terminal diagnosis in 2017. The cancer eventually made it’s way to her lungs, after a long battle Sue passed away in 2019.
The girls knew they wanted to do something to honour their late mother. Many families who experience loss through cancer turn to donate through larger donation pools, however, the girls wanted to give back directly to who was by their side through it all, their local hospitals cancer ward. In order to do so they needed to create a fundraiser event, so when a family friend who had experience with fundraisers approached them with the idea to “Walk For Sue” that’s where it all began.
The family held the first fundraiser in May of 2022. The Mckittricks expected small numbers, a day with close family members and friends, that’s when the community came together and showed the Mckittricks the waves Sue left behind. What was supposed to be a small turnout and a $1000 raised, ended up being 150 participants and $6,000. There was no doubt that the memory of Sue was a favourite for many people.
Participants had the options of 2km, 5km, or 15km walks, vendors were set up, and the community spent the day remembering Sue, and who she was to the many that loved her. The success of the event prompted the idea for it to become an annual event, The Mckittricks are looking at making it happen again this spring.
Comments