The wife of Ward 6 councillor Mark MacKinnon is battling breast cancer.
MacKinnon took to Twitter to make the diagnosis of his wife, Karen McLarney, public.
“My wife, Karen McLarney, was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in late 2019.
She recently decided to make this diagnosis public since a family friend wanted to host a GoFundMe campaign to help offset Karen’s eliminated employment income and increased medical expenses,” said MacKinnon’s announcement.
“This disease has been incredibly stressful for Karen and our family, and Karen is doing her best to remain positive and keep hopeful during her treatment regimen.”
She is battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that has spread to other parts of her body.
The GoFundMe page can be found here.
While not currently impacting his duties as a city councillor, MacKinnon notes he may need to scale back his initiatives and activities as he focuses on his family.
“I have been keeping my council colleagues and the city’s executive team up to date, and they have assured me that I have their full support should I need to take a short breather from the council horseshoe.”
The GoFundMe page has been started by friend Cheryl Cote.
She describes her friend Karen as a “caring nurse, fiesty fiery redhead ready for any geocaching adventure, mother to two amazing teen boys and to recently adopted feline fur babies (don't get her started on cats).
“As much as she is a fighter and wants to beat this, the reality is that it is taking every ounce of energy from Karen herself, her husband Mark, and their two boys, William and Robert.”
The fundraising goal is $36,000.
According to the GoFundMe page, MacKinnon’s wife had just achieved RN designation and started a job at a new hospital, a job she has had to give up.
“Karen has a hard time reaching out. She has only just recently gotten the energy up to send friends and family a detailed announcement and plea for any sort of help,” wrote her friend Cote.
The GoFundMe page also asks for anyone willing and able to donate in other ways, such as with food or gift cards, or by acts of kindness.
