Help for Kate MacKay in her battle w/glioblastoma

Kate is facing the battle of her life with a diagnosis of glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer which is extremely difficult to treat, and an upcoming series of chemo and radiation treatments beginning on August 27th that will require every ounce of strength that she has. If you know Kate then you know that she is a loving Wife, Mom and Nanny (and recently a Great Nanny!) as well as a loyal friend.   You may know her from her days in Ontario growing up in Midland (as Catherine Somers), raising Jamie, Melissa and Tara in both Midland and Penetang (as Catherine (aka Kate) Robitaille), working at the seatbelt factory in Midland before she had the kids, and afterwards at the front desk of the Delawana Resort on Georgian Bay.  Not many people know that she also worked at a wedding dress factory as a runner and a pearler when she was pregnant with her first baby.  Or you may have gotten to know her more recently behind the till at Georgia Park Store in Bowser.  At Georgia Park we know her as hard working, feisty and extremely funny.  Our customers have enjoyed her wit and her great customer service Monday to Friday every week for the past 5 years. Even as her beloved husband Dave battled advanced stage prostate cancer, every single day she would get up and pull herself together in her nicely coordinated outfits with her perfectly matched accessories.  She would arrive at work with a smile on her face and the intent to get the job done and get it done well.  Kate’s pride in everything she does is obvious. This past Spring Kate started to feel noticeably unwell which was unusual for her.  She’s a tough cookie.  Everyone, including her doctor, chalked it up to stress due to Dave’s illness.  Eventually her illness progressed to multiple doctor’s visits, a series of hospitalizations, test after test and scan after scan.  By April she was unable to go to work which, being the sole breadwinner, created significant financial hardship for her and Dave.  EI sickness benefits kicked in and that helped ease the burden for a short time but those benefits are paid for a maximum of 15 weeks.  Kate was cut off EI on Saturday, August 3rd, her husband of 25 years Dave passed away on Monday, August 5th, and on Tuesday, August 6th she received the diagnosis of glioblastoma. Kate is facing the biggest battle of her life and still the bills keeping rolling in and the mortgage payments become due.  If you are able to help out in any way, Kate and her family would be eternally grateful.