A year ago on this day, 6 February, my good friend Susan Niebur (WhyMommy) died of inflammatory breast cancer.
Susan Niebur, 1972 – 2012 (photo credit: Kristen, @mommy4cocktails)
Since then, another friend, Jenny, a fellow New Zealander whom I had “met” online through Susan, also died of inflammatory breast cancer.
My own family has also been touched – no, not touched, smashed into – by cancer. Cancer doesn’t visit lightly.
As you may know, for the past couple of years Pearl and I have taken part in the local Relay For Life to raise funds for the NZ Cancer Society. We can’t run this year, but we are still supporting the Relay. My sister – The Fabulous Auntie B – and her children are still managing a team. We will help them raise funds and cheer them on from the sidelines in March during the event.
I hope you will continue to support Relay – whether it’s our team in our event, or another team, or your local event – in whatever way possible. If you know me in real life and would like to donate to our team, please contact me for details.
If you don’t know me in real life but would still like to donate – hooray! Please go to the Relay For Life website and donate to any team you like. Or find your own local Relay For Life or Cancer Society webpage and donate there instead. The important thing is to help these societies support people with cancer and their families.
Celebrate – Remember – Fight Back!
For Susan, for her family – Curt, Widget, Little Bear. For her friends, too many to number here, but including Marty, Stimey, Kristen, Jessica, Kelley.
For Jenny, and her family and friends.
For my family.
For your family.
For ourselves, should we ever need it – they’ll be there.
© UpsideBackwards 2013.
Tags: cancer, cancer society, Family, love, relay for life, whymommy
February 7, 2013 at 12:57 am |
Much love to you today, Kate. That picture of us is on my mantle.
February 7, 2013 at 3:08 am |
I don’t think that I’m allowed to curse here on your page, so I’ll keep my thoughts about cancer to myself. I love you. I’m so glad that you were able to spend the time with Susan (and me!) that you did. Thinking of you today.
February 7, 2013 at 7:07 am |
I will always count the day I got to meet you and see your and Susan’s cross-global-sisterhood (what’s the feminine version of bromance??
and love in-person as one of the most beautiful days. Susan was just overwhelmed with happiness that you were right there in her house. Your love and friendship were a testament to all that is wonderful about the Internet. Your kindness and love are best in the world.
February 7, 2013 at 7:31 am |
The day I met you and got to see your and Susan’s cross-globe friendship (What’s the feminine version of bro-mance??) was one of the best days in my life. It personified all that is beautiful about the Internet.She loved you so much, and was overjoyed to have you in her home!! Love and peace to you today.
February 7, 2013 at 5:10 pm |
Thank you Jessica. It was such a lovely day – and a real treat to meet you and baby A too! I bet she’s a grown-up toddler by now. Susan had a real gift for bringing people together
February 7, 2013 at 4:55 pm |
I don’t know you, but got your page’s link through another blog. I had the extreme honor and pleasure of booking Susan to speak at our Relay (Reston, VA, USA) several years ago. Very special, wonderful woman.
Just got back from my 10-year anniversary trip to NZ in Dec-Jan, and while driving around in Dunedin, made my parents pull over to the side of the road so I could snap a quick pic of the local Cancer Society office (which was closed for the holidays) and a beautiful Relay poster. Thanks for all of the great work the Kiwis are doing in supporting the fight against this dreadful disease!
February 8, 2013 at 4:40 am |
She really touched our lives, didn’t she ?
February 8, 2013 at 6:25 am |
She really did! Such an amazing person, I’m proud to have known her.