Becky McInroy

In Memory of Matt
 

When I think of a word to describe my experience with a blood cancer is unbelievable. Twenty days following Matt's diagnosis of leukemia he succumbed to the disease. When I look back on this time of our lives, I can recognize that each day we were just moving through the motions. Everything happened so fast, and it's hard to look back and process how we lost him. Therefore I would say that the greatest challenge for me was to find normalcy once he was gone. 

Blood cancer truly changed my life. Everyone that knew us would always say that I was spoiled because Matt used to take care of me, so when he was gone, I truly had to find my own independence. I can now reflect on everything that happened and I believe that his passing gave me the strength and resilience that I now embody today, and has led me to raise my boy as a single mother. Matt gave me the greatest gift of life which was my strength.

Matt was the main reason we joined Light The Night, and we have continued it as a tradition for more than 10 years now. He was such a selfless person, always putting others above himself. We know that by participating in LTN every year we can honour him, and cherish the memories that we had together.

Light The Night for me means hope. Participating in LTN gives us the opportunity to keep Matt's memory alive, while also giving hope to those who are also affected by the same struggles presented with a blood cancer. To make a difference for someone else is the best way we can honour him.

Light The Night is a perfect way for Canadians to support those affected by a blood cancer, by providing not only moral and emotional support, but to also provide direct funds for new research opportunities, with the hope of a potential cure.