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To Honour & Remember
I lost a friend to cancer a number of years ago. I met Cheryl when I took over her midday hosting position on a radio station in Victoria. Blessed with a beautiful voice and an infectious laugh, she had the ability to light up a room.
Cheryl was embarking on a new career in radio sales, and was embracing many exciting new changes in her life. Since I was just new to the city, Cheryl helped me find a suite to rent in the same house she lived in. We were neighbours and friends for several years before Cheryl was diagnosed with breast cancer, and her world changed.
She underwent surgery and chemo. She continued to work throughout her treatments, and the happy day came when she was cancer free. During that time, Cheryl's priorities changed. She decided to move in order to be closer to her parents, and shortly after that, she met the love of her life. Always a fun-loving single girl, she embraced marriage wholeheartedly, and, after a few years, became a mother.
Cheryl was deeply in love with her husband and son. She was creatively and emotionally fulfilled. She had what anyone would look at and assume was "the perfect life". When Cheryl's son was still an infant, she received the devastating news that the cancer was back. It attacked many parts of her body this time, including her larynx, taking first her voice, then her life.
She was in her mid-30's, and her little boy was just over a year old. At Cheryl's funeral, I will never forget the sound of that sobbing baby looking around in vain for his Mommy. The real tragedy is that he was too young to have any memories of this vibrant, loving and wonderful person.
Few of us are able to say that we have not had the shadow of cancer fall over our lives in some way. The Weekend to End Women's Cancers allows us to grieve, to honour, and to remember those we have lost. It also allows us to make a difference, and have hope in a future free of this devastating disease.
If you wish to donate to our EZ Rock Team online, please do so here by clicking "Donate online"
Every dollar I raise will go to the EZ Rock Team.
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