Springhill family honouring son’s memory

AMHERST — When the new Ronald Mcdonald House opens in Halifax, next year, it will include a piece of Springhill.

After a short, but tough, fight against cancer, 21-yearold Curtis Mccormick lost his battle to the disease in March 2021. Looking for a way to honour their son's memory, his parents started a campaign to raise $25,000 to support the capital campaign for the house that serves as a home away from home for many Maritime families.

“When we added up all the things not covered by medicare we came to realize how financially devastating the average family would find it when they have a child with ongoing medical needs,” said Curtis' mother, Linda Mccormick.

As Mccormick started investigating ways to remember her son, she came across the Ronald Mcdonald Children's Charity.

“Curtis was a giving person in every way. To be able to do something to help families in a similar situation in his memory is a win-win to us,” she said. “Having Ronald Mcdonald House there is a godsend for so many families. People are so grateful for the meals and the beds.”

Mccormick had recently graduated from Springhill High School when he began experiencing pain in his side. He went to the doctor and was told he may have pulled a muscle between his ribs. A second trip to the doctor, this time to the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow where he was attending NSCC told the true picture — synovial sarcoma.

The cancer began behind his left lung before growing, eventually surrounding the lung. He underwent a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. He had surgery to remove the tumour, but the reality was the tumour would — and did — grow back.

After being told by doctors in Halifax there was nothing else that could be done, the Mccormick family turned to Toronto, where oncologists and surgeons said they would look at his file.

He underwent surgery in Toronto last July 30, but their return to Nova Scotia was delayed by COVID-19 protocols and it was late August before they returned to their Rodney home, near Springhill.

Throughout his treatment and surgery, Linda continued to update the community through social media and issued prayer requests that were answered by hundreds, not only in Springhill, but also across Nova Scotia, Canada and around the world.

Curtis returned to class last September, attending the carpentry program at NSCC in Springhill, and began living his life again, a life that included playing the guitar, learning about history and driving his motorcycle.

Unfortunately, Curtis's cancer returned late in 2020 and this time it would not be defeated. He died at home on April 5.

Devastated at the loss, the family — including Linda, his father, Craig, and brother, Connor — began looking for ways to continue Curtis's legacy and help heal the pain they were feeling.

“We thought this is a real worthwhile cause and we wanted to something good in Curtis's name because we're really hurting. It's been extremely difficult,” Linda said. “To channel that into something that makes a positive difference helps give us a focus that's positive.”

After talking to Jill Pelkey from Ronald Mcdonald House, they decided to contribute a piece of play equipment for the new home being built in downtown Halifax. Linda said she wanted it to have a pirate theme because Curtis and Connor used to always play on the one that used to be on the Halifax waterfront.

“I'm not sure if a pirate ship is an option, but the money we raise is going to go to an indoor play structure that will be named in Curtis' memory,” Linda said.

Following Curtis's death, the family named Ronald Mcdonald House as one of two beneficiaries of memorial donations — the other being CANSARCC (Canadian sarcoma research). There have been several auctions through social media, with another one coming soon, while donations can also be made directly to Ronald Mcdonald House.

Two months into the campaign, more than $18,000 of the $25,000 goal has been raised.

“I'm blown away by the support,” she said. “We have a high goal, but I never thought the community would respond the way it has. Family and friends have also given very generously as well.”

Pelkey has worked with the Mccormick family since March and is honoured to hear they've chosen Ronald Mcdonald House.

“The $25,000 they're raising will help us name a play structure in Curtis's memory,” Pelkey said. “We're looking for ways to celebrate Curtis's entire story in a book in the house. We're very excited. This family is so special and their financial impact has been phenomenal, it's the largest memorial and the largest thirdparty fundraiser we've had.”

Pelkey said Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Atlantic provides a space for families to stay together when travelling for the care of an ill or injured child. The existing house can accommodate 18 families each night and alleviates, on average, a $272 financial burden for families each night.

The More Room For Love campaign, to build a new Ronald Mcdonald House, is a $24-milion project.

Pelkey expects construction to begin in four or five months with an anticipated opening date in 2022.

To contribute to Curtis's campaign go to: https://www. rmhccanada.ca/fundraisers/ mccormick-family-fundraisermore-room-for-love-rmhcatlantic-in-memory-of-curtisthe-tenderheart