Love Ballymena- Love Ballymena
Co Antrim mum raising funds for charities who supported 4 year old daughter in cancer battle
Glenravel mum, Suzie McKeown, is gearing up for an epic marathon challenge to raise much needed funds for a number of children’s cancer charities this September.
It’s Suzie’s way of saying ‘thank you’ for the amazing support received by her young family after then 3 year old daughter Cora was diagnosed with the disease.
Suzie, husband Sean, son Sean óg, and daughter Cora were just another normal everyday type of family finding their way in life until they received devastating news last year, August 2019. It was the type of news that no mum or dad ever want to receive.
Suzie shared: “To hear that your carefree, mischievous 3 year old child has cancer! So many thoughts came crashing in— “My world will never be the same again. How is this possible? Will my daughter survive?!””
The last year for the family has been challenging in ways that they had never imagined, dealing with a disease they had not anticipated.
Reflecting on the last year, Suzie said: “It has been such a difficult year for us as a family. For me as a mother, it's horrific to watch my baby and how chemotherapy affects her wee body to get rid of this awful disease. To have to reassure my son that his sister won't die - that's just not normal.
“We have managed to get through this with the help, support and prayers from our family, friends, community, and even strangers that we will never meet nor have the opportunity to personally thank them from the bottom of our hearts. We are so thankful for the support we continue to be given.
“We have received so much help from the charities in the hospital and other children's cancer charities. We are very grateful and to say thank you we decided to do the rely in the Belfast Marathon but unfortunately COVID-19 ruined our plans like so many others. So on Saturday 20 September, I and twenty-one of my family and friends will be running their miles for these charities to say thank you and to
support their vital work.”
Suzie and the others are now getting prepared to run their relay miles in Glenravel’s very own marathon, to help other children like Cora in their fight against childhood cancer and the charities that support them - including Angel Wishes, Cancer Fund for Children, The Children’s Cancer Unit, and Clic Sargent.
“I would love so much to raise as much awareness and money for them as possible. No one ever thinks they will hear those horrible heartbreaking words. I was one of those people.
“I never thought my family would need any one of these charities but I am so thankful they are here to help us through our journey. It would be a very lonely road without them.”
Beautiful little Cora, now 4 years old, has still another year and half of treatment to get through but the family are hoping that the worst is now over. She was able to start school last week, which was totally amazing for the family.
“I dreamed of that day for a whole year. It's what kept me going. Just seeing her walking through the school gates was priceless.
“Cora has been so brave throughout her journey and still has a long way to go, but she will do it! Thanks so, so much for your support and to everyone who has donated so far. Please keep praying for my wee chick.”
Suzie and the family and friends participating in the fundraiser would be most grateful if you would consider donating to support their September marathon, this also being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Visit the fundraising page to donate at:
