Traveling for Treatment

By ABCN Editorial

Last Updated: Oct 1, 2006
Articles & News : Articles : Sharing Our Stories

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Kay, from Woodstock, New Brunswick was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2000.  While the date might not mean much to us in October 2006, back in 2000 the system was overloaded in New Brunswick with wait times of five months for radiation.  A number of patients from New Brunswick had to make the two and a half hour trip to Bangor, Maine for their treatment.

Making the trip to Bangor wasn't just lonely because Kay had to leave her home, her husband had died in January of 1999 and she was on her own. Rather than have her sister drive her back and forth in the winter months, Kay stayed in a hotel suite for six weeks.  As a member of the Woodstock Quilt Guild, the ladies made her a "friendship quilt" to take to Bangor to help her keep warm and to feel comforted during her treatments.  Tired from radiation treatment she spent a lot of time sleeping and curled up in the quilt.  She met others from New Brunswick, but only one who was a breast cancer patient.

Flowers, cards and gift baskets provided much joy for Kay at her home away from home, but she especially cherished the flowers she received from her mother.  The flowers arrived in her room the same time she arrived back from her first treatment.  Even though she wasn't home near family the kindness and care she received from the medical staff went a long way.  As a thank you, Kay's sister arranged for cakes to be delivered for coffee breaks for staff, doctors and nurses.

While being a cancer patient was new for Kay, dealing with cancer in the family wasn't.  She had spent years previously working in the "cancer scene."  Before moving back to New Brunswick Kay had volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society in Ontario for eight years and received an award from her community for five years of service.  She also served as the secretary for a CCS Support Group there.

Arriving back in Woodstock after her treatment Kay admits she didn't do much during 2001.  When she started volunteering with Relay for Life she realized that was the thing for her.  "I enjoy people", she explains, "and especially helping people."  She has been chairperson of the event for the past four years.  The first year there were 27 teams and last year there were 78!  In 2006 the Woodstock Relay for Life raised $187,000, the highest per capita in Canada for the last two years.  This is remarkable when you realize that Woodstock has a population of 5,500 with the surrounding areas totaling less than 8,000 people.

In February 2004, Kay was hit with yet another blow.  Her beloved “baby" sister was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer.  Kay was able to reciprocate the care, but sadly her sister died in August 2005.

In June 2006, Kay was honoured with an "Award of Merit" by the Canadian Cancer Society at their annual meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick.

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