Rise Up - In Loving Memory of Cherie Kettle

Grief is a funny thing, some think it best to move on, to forget and leave the past in the past.

For others it is not that easy..

I choose to transform my grief into something bigger than myself.

I choose to remember my mum, to honour my mum, every day.

By living my best life and remembering my mum's story, our experience that we shared together over my mum's journey through breast cancer.

-

Late one night in September 2017 my Mum and I had just finished celebrating her 50th birthday, we were sitting together in the lounge together when she told me that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. My heart sank and I was devastated.

My mum was very vague when giving explanation about her diagnosis to others..

"A big mother f@cker", she would tell them.

For most of 2018 my mum would undergo multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy. All of these treatments were unsuccessful.

The cancer grew back rapidly and by early 2019 my mum's treatment was all about palliative care and quality of life vs quantity of life.

-

In honour of my mother Cherie Kettle I am hosting a fundraiser with 100% of profits going towards Breast Cancer New Zealand to support the future of New Zealand Maori and non Maori women.