Ballymena mum’s powerful cancer journey inspires charity race night fundraiser this Grand National weekend
- Love Ballymena
- 32 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Kathryn McKay with husband Mark, and daughters Isla and Grace.
What began as a lump discovered without warning has become a story of resilience, friendship and gratitude, as Ballymena mother-of-two Kathryn McKay prepares to turn one of the darkest chapters of her life into a night of hope for other families facing cancer.
This Saturday evening, 11 April, Kathryn — alongside close friend Lauren Herbison — is inviting the local community to come together for A Night at the Races at the BT Club on Church Street, Ballymena, in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, the charity that helped support her and her young family through breast cancer treatment.
The event, taking place from 7.30pm onwards, comes on Grand National weekend and promises a lively evening of races, music, prizes, dancing and fundraising, all rooted in Kathryn’s deeply personal journey from diagnosis to recovery.
A life-changing diagnosis at 36
Kathryn’s story began in September 2022, when she found a lump in her right breast.
“I had never noticed it before — there was no pain, and it seemed to appear from nowhere,” she said.
After mentioning it to her husband, the couple initially left it for a couple of weeks. But something did not sit right.
“In the back of my mind, I felt it was best to get it checked.”
She made an appointment with her GP and was seen the very same day. Concerned by what he found, she was referred immediately to the breast clinic.
Within weeks, Kathryn attended her first appointment at Antrim Area Hospital.
On 27 October 2022, she received the news that would change everything.
“I’m sorry, but yes, you have breast cancer.”
Kathryn with close friend Lauren who will both host a Night at the Races this Saturday night.
Kathryn was just 36 years old, with a 10-month-old baby and a three-year-old daughter, both girls.
“The shock my husband and I felt was nothing I could ever have prepared for.”
After being given time to absorb the diagnosis, she returned to meet her consultant and begin planning treatment. Further biopsies were needed to determine the type of cancer and the best course of action.
“It was an awful few weeks, and telling my friends and family was the hardest thing — seeing the heartbreak on their faces.”
Eighteen weeks of gruelling treatment
Kathryn’s consultant remained hopeful and focused first on preserving her breast by shrinking the tumour through chemotherapy.
At that point, the tumour measured 8cm.
She underwent six rounds of chemotherapy, every three weeks, in Laurel House, amounting to 18 long weeks of treatment.
The physical toll was immense.
“I lost my hair, my eyelashes and my brows. It was so hard to look at the new me.”
Kathryn with daughters Isla and Grace.
In one of the most intimate moments of that journey, Kathryn’s mother shaved her head.
“My mum shaved my head, and I’m sure it wasn’t an easy task.”
Despite the emotional and physical impact, Kathryn found small ways to hold on to herself.
“People may call it vain, but every morning I got up, put a little make-up on, and got out of my pyjamas to make myself feel that little bit better.”
The treatment worked.
“The chemotherapy made my tumour shrink to 1cm, which was amazing.”
Surgery, radiotherapy and the moment everything changed
In April 2023, Kathryn underwent surgery to remove the remaining tumour and check for clear margins.
There were also concerns around the lymph nodes in her right arm, leading to full axillary lymph node clearance.
Just three to four weeks later, the next stage began — 15 rounds of radiotherapy at Belfast City Hospital.
Then came the moment every cancer patient longs for.
Kathryn with husband Mark as she rings the bell - a happy day!
On 21 June 2023, Kathryn rang the bell to mark the end of active treatment.
Shortly afterwards, she received the news she had been desperately hoping for.
“All cancer had been removed from my body.”
Even then, the journey was not entirely over. She continued to receive injections until March 2024.
Now, Kathryn remains under close monitoring during the critical five-year post-treatment period.
“The next five years are high risk for me.”
She receives yearly mammograms until the age of 50 and continues annual reviews with the team at Laurel House.
The support that carried her family through
As treatment neared its end, Kathryn began reaching out to the organisations that would become a lifeline.
Among the first was Look Good Feel Better, which at the time offered virtual support sessions with other women going through cancer.
“It was a Zoom call with other ladies going through cancer, who gave advice on how to look after my skin and shared make-up tips.”
Then came Cancer Fund for Children — a charity she initially thought was only for young patients.
“With the name, I didn’t really know what they could offer — little did I know that half of the charity’s support is for a parent who has been diagnosed with cancer.”
After meeting with a support worker, Kathryn and her family were introduced to a wide range of services, from practical emotional support to family events.
She attended parental support coffee mornings, where she met others walking the same road.
“It was great to talk and just feel comfortable enough to sit and cry with people who really knew how cancer had left me feeling.”
The charity also provided books and literature to help explain to children what their mother was going through, helping daughters Isla and Grace understand what was happening.
Kathryn also received alternative therapies, including head massage and reflexology, while support through Move with Macmillan helped rebuild both her physical and mental strength.
“Alan, my coach, was so amazing and really helped me.”
Kathryn with daughter Isla
Further support came from Action Cancer, which provided scar therapy to help with tightness and nerve damage caused by radiotherapy, alongside counselling sessions.
The family was also given opportunities to enjoy precious time together through special events at W5 and The Jungle, and later a stay at Daisy Lodge.
“I can’t tell you how lovely the staff were, as well as the location of the lodge and the lodge itself.
“My girls still talk about it to this day.”
For Kathryn, Daisy Lodge offered something beyond rest.
“It gives the family time to focus on themselves, reconnect with each other, and reflect on the journey I have been through.”
‘Cancer has shown me a strength I never knew I had’
Kathryn daughters Isla and Grace.
Throughout the darkest days, Kathryn says her daughters were her reason to keep going.
“My drive to get through my treatment was my two girls. I had a reason to get up in the morning.”
She admits the emotional impact did not end when treatment stopped.
“It was once the treatment stopped that it became the hardest, but I kept going.”
Now, as life begins to resemble normality again, her perspective has changed forever.
“Cancer has shown me a strength I never knew I had.”
She added: “I try to enjoy all the little things in life. It is the little things that matter the most.”
Kathryn is also using her voice to urge women — especially those in their 30s and 40s — not to ignore changes in their bodies.
“I feel it is so important now for girls in their 30s and 40s to check their chest and to please, please contact their doctors if they have any concerns.
“I felt healthy, so I had no major concerns, and I caught it just in time before it spread to another area of my body.”
For anyone currently facing cancer, she has one message:
“There is help and support to help you navigate this time in your life.”
A night of fundraising, music and community spirit
Now, that gratitude is being turned into action.
This Saturday’s Night at the Races, hosted by Kathryn and friend Lauren, will raise money for Cancer Fund for Children, and both girls have also set themselves for taking part in the Belfast Marathon Relay in support of the cause.
The event takes place at the BT Club, Ballymena, on Saturday 11 April 2026 from 7.30pm.
Entry is free, and organisers are promising an evening packed with entertainment, including:
race betting and games
live DJ sets throughout the races
music and dancing afterwards
a raffle featuring more than 20 prizes
a main prize from Galgorm Spa
opportunities to sponsor a horse for £5 and name it
Music on the night will be provided by DJ Beaker / Chris Stewart.
Guests are being encouraged to bring family and friends for “a night of races, prizes, games, fun, laughter and dancing”.
Kathryn’s story is one of heartbreak, courage and extraordinary strength — and on Saturday night, Ballymena has the chance to stand beside her family and help other families facing the same fight.
At a glance
Ballymena mum Kathryn McKay was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2022 aged 36
She had two young daughters, aged 10 months and 3 years at the time
Tumour measured 8cm before chemotherapy
Six rounds of chemotherapy reduced it to 1cm
She underwent surgery, lymph node clearance and 15 rounds of radiotherapy
Kathryn completed treatment on 21 June 2023
Injections continued until March 2024
Cancer Fund for Children and other charities supported the family throughout
Fundraiser takes place Saturday 11 April at BT Club, Ballymena, from 7.30pm
Proceeds go to Cancer Fund for Children