Lung cancer wasn't supposed to happen to Olds resident Shona Willick's mother Marie.
She was healthy, active and worked as a health care aide.
"The feeling was surreal and that it could not be happening to mom because she was so healthy. It just took us so off guard," Willick said.
Marie was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in April 2014. She passed away in November that year, leaving behind her children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In Marie's memory, Willick will participate in the inaugural OneWalk to Conquer Cancer on June 25 in Calgary to raise funds for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
She hopes to raise at least $5,000 for a lung cancer screening program that would best determine who to screen and when.
Alberta would become the first province in the country to have such a program.
This year, nearly 2,000 Albertans are expected to be diagnosed with lung cancer. The disease will claim about 1,700 lives this year, according to the foundation.
Joining Willick for the walk will be friends, her fiancé, daughter, grandson as well as her 73-year-old father, Rolly.
The event is not a race but she expects her father to do the best among her team on the 25-kilometre trek.
"He'll probably beat all of us walking because he's the only one who actually goes to the gym and works out three times a week," she said, laughing.
Rolly was also Marie's sole caregiver during her illness.
"My dad is probably the most incredible man I've ever met. He never once got homecare for mom to take a break. He took care of mom. He was the sole care provider for her. Between injections and personal hygiene, he did everything for my mom," she said.
Willick said she always spent a lot of time with her parents. That increased after Marie's diagnosis.
Because of Marie's many blood transfusions, Willick has also become a regular blood donor.
She currently lives in Olds and works in Calgary, managing a travel insurance company.
Willick also plans to participate in OneWalk on an annual basis. So far, her team, Team Marie, has raised $1,950. To donate, visit their page at www.onewalk.ca/goto/shonawillick
As well, March 31 is National Take A Stance Day. Participants can register for OneWalk using promo code 'MyStance' before March 31 and Take A Stance by choosing to conquer the cancer that matters most to them.
"The feeling was surreal and that it could not be happening to mom because she was so healthy. It just took us so off guard."SHONA WILLICK
