Airdrie resident Katie Mackrory is hoping to bolster support for a local family friend who has experienced an unspeakable tragedy right before one of the most cherished times of the year. Her good friend, Rita-Kath Davidson and Rita-Kath's daughter lost their father and partner to cancer several days ago.

"I started the GoFundMe page to try and help support my friends. The family is facing some financial struggles; trying to cover the cost of getting to the hospital to take care of him and now, of course, the costly end-of-life services," Mackrory explained. "That's what this GoFundMe page is really for, to try and lift them with their spirits and show them what Airdrie is all about, and share the magic of Christmas."

Davidson's partner, Jeff had initially gone to see doctors earlier in the fall for back pain. The diagnosis was catastrophic, with physicians telling the family he had stage four lung cancer. A mere three months later, he would succumb to the disease. 

"I think because they found out in September, they decided that they were just going to hunker down as a family. I learned afterwards and that's hard. But I'm also glad that they made that decision for their family and I'm just here to support them through that," Mackrory added.

The crowdfunding campaign has raised nearly $3,000 in two days. 

"I'm not surprised. Airdrie is incredible and they come together," Mackrory said when asked if she was surprised at how much attention the GoFundMe has already garnered.

Mackrory said that considering Christmas is a time for family, this particular Christmas will be very difficult for the Davidson family.

"No one should ever have to go through this, especially an eight-year-old girl [Lilian] having a first Christmas without her dad. I know that it's extremely lonely for them and watching them go through this is heartbreaking," she said. 

When asked how Mackrory would describe the Davidsons, she said that eight-year-old Lilian is a cheerleader and friend to all, just like her mother. 

"My daughter was making earrings just for fun and Lilian came by and was supportive of her and excited to spend her money on her. She goes out of her way to make other people smile and laugh," she said. "And Rita-Kath is the same in adult form. They are just beautiful people that always have a smile on their face, and always want to compliment others and bring joy to their lives." 

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in 2023, it was estimated that lung cancer would be the second most common cancer in both males (after prostate) and females (after breast).

"Lung cancer would be the leading cause of cancer death in both males (10,800 deaths) and females (9,800 deaths), accounting for almost one-quarter of all cancer deaths."

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