I will never forget the feeling I felt when my dad called my two sisters and I down to our family room in October 1996. My family never had meetings so I knew that what was about to be told to us was serious. I remember a big long speech that ended in silence when my mother stated that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. All I knew at that time in my life was that cancer was a potentially fatal disease and now it had touched my family. At first I cried not knowing what was going to happen or change in my family’s life. Following my mother’s diagnosis, there were many days when I forgot about the disease that was slowly taking over her body.

She was such a strong person throughout her fight that I never once heard her complain about the pain she must have been going through. She was always in attendance at all my sporting events, helped me with my schoolwork and did an amazing job raising three teenaged girls throughout her fight. Even though my mother was in and out of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she always did her best to take care of our family despite her struggle. Sadly, the cancer had spread throughout my mother’s body and she passed away on January 26th 2000 at the very young age of 45, leaving behind a husband and three daughters aged 12, 16 and 19.

Anyone who knew my mother, Kathy Jane McIntosh, would say that she was a beautiful woman both inside and out who was always filled with positive energy and poured her heart and soul into my family. Her smile lit up a room and her laugh was always contagious. She was a nurse at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic at the University of Western Ontario campus and spent her entire life helping patients recover. My mom’s passion and care for the health of others was hard to go unnoticed as she was always the first to rush in and deliver first aid to anyone who needed it. Although she was sick, it was always more important to her that she help everyone else first.

Unfortunately in my mother’s case, her cancer was caught late and it did not give her a great chance of beating it. I was never told this until my mother had passed but when she was first diagnosed, doctors predicted that she only had 6 months to live. She fought for just over 3 years before she passed which shows how much life she had to give. When I look back at my mom’s life, I don’t remember her being sick. She spread so much love in her short life and definitely lived each day to its fullest. She was an inspiration to me and I am sure to many others that she touched during her time here.

When I look back now at the time I spent with my mother while she was here, I realize how lucky I am to have had her in my life. Even though she was taken from us too soon, she inspired and taught me so much throughout her life. My mom always pushed me to do my best at everything I ever did and this drive for achievement is the most important part of my mother that will never leave me. I would not have developed into the person I am today without her and there are many times that I feel her presence helping guide me through my life today. She will always be remembered for her strength and her passion for life. I love you mom and miss you so much.

Every year since my mother has passed I have participated with friends and family in the run for the cure. It is truly inspiring to be a part of an event that brings so many people together for a similar cause.

I truly admire everything that Typically Canadian is doing and wish Kyle, Andrew and everyone else involved the best of luck in completing this journey. You ALL truly are Canadian and my mother will be riding with you.

The Typically Canadian Group is riding with Erin’s mom Kathy Jane McIntosh...

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