Carolyn MacKay is community ambassador for Relay for Life

Unless she told you, you wouldn’t know it. Carolyn MacKay is fighting for her life against cancer that’s been labelled terminal.

MacKay, who lost her husband to melanoma cancer, said she had a persistent cough, which she suspected might be a result of years of smoking earlier in her life. Even though she had quit, she worried it was cancer. A doctor confirmed her fears in October 2019 and she began treatment. While the chemotherapy seemed to slow the cancer in her lungs, a year later she learned the cancer had spread to her brain. Treatment was stopped.

Knowing full well the battle she was walking into, MacKay has chosen to focus on what she can control and what she can be positive about.

“It is what it is,” MacKay says. “I’ll just make the best of every day that I have and just keep on trucking.”

That upbeat spirit and determination is part of the reason MacKay was chosen to be this year’s ambassador for the Pictou County Relay for Life, which is being held virtually in June.

“She has always been upbeat and you wouldn’t know she was fighting unless she told you,” says Shannon MacLean, event organizer. “That really refreshed my spirit when I first met her.”

While most people who have been community ambassadors or honorary chairs in the past have been people who had finished their treatment and were in remission, MacLean, said she believes MacKay brings a fresh perspective.

“I think Carolyn’s perspective is a new one we haven’t seen yet,” MacLean said. “I think that’s something that refreshes Pictou County.”

Because of the experiences with her husband and other friends who have had cancer, MacKay was a supporter of the Pictou County Relay for Life before her own diagnosis. She said she was honoured that they chose her to be this year’s ambassador.

“It’s just such a phenomenal group of young people who are in charge of Relay for Life,” she said. “When you look around and you see all these people who are survivors, it’s very encouraging.”

The luminaries shining at past events and the survivor’s walk are two moving parts of past Relays for Life that stick with her.

“It certainly gives people hope who are dealing with cancer. There are a lot of people who have had it and have survived.”

Without question survival rates for those diagnosed with cancer are increasing. That’s thanks to a lot of research into treatments like those made possible through funds raised by the Relay for Life event.

“They’re making strides every day,” MacKay said.

She encourages people to talk about their illness with family and friends and to stay physically active.

“I just want to encourage people, don’t give up. Fight the fight and be as active as you possibly can,” she said. “A good attitude certainly makes

a big difference. Your mental health, as well as your physical health, is very important.”

She says her faith helps her stay positive, but she’s also realistic.

“It is what it is. Nothing is going to change so you have to make the best of every single day that you have.”