Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back: My Friend Roni

Three words - three affirmations – that perfectly describe the way my friend Veronica (Roni) lives her life every day: celebrate life to its absolute fullest, keep your spirit strong and fight the battles that park themselves at your doorstep and, as you make your way through life, never ever forget LOVE and FAITH.

Now more then ever before, however, Roni – who laughingly and, all would agree (especially her husband Brian! HaHa!), accurately calls herself a stubborn Irish broad with the red hair to prove it (does “fight back’ make a little more sense now?!) – is drawing on her personal strength, love of friends & family and passion for life…

My friend Roni is battling Cancer

And she’s battling HARD! Go Roni!!

In honour of Roni’s fight – and in recognition of the fight that so many people in our communities face (heck, I’m talking about you, me and the people we love!!) – I’m encouraging DesignTies readers to be as Hooked on Cancer Research Fundraising as Roni is!!

How hooked is she??… Pretty damned hooked!!

Before going any further I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Julia at Hooked on Houses for hosting her wonderful weekly Hooked on Fridays blog party – I’m so grateful to be able to promote the importance of Cancer Research Fundraising ALL WHILE sharing just a little about Roni. Cheers Julia!!

A little about Roni… in point form ;-)

• Roni is a “proud 55!!!”
• She has three kids: Shannon-26, Meghan-24 and Patrick-22
• Meghan and her husband have a son, Ryan, and they’re having another baby soon. That means Roni is a happy Grandma!!
• Roni met her husband Brian 5 years ago
• Brian has 2 boys: CW and Matt
• One of Brian’s boys (I’m not sure which one) has 2 young daughters – more grandkids!! :-)

I first met Roni about 5 years ago when she was hired into my office, but we connected around the remodel of my condo’s kitchen… you see, Roni’s kitchen had recently (at the time) been remodelled too, so we had fun sharing photos of our transformations.

Roni loves her kitchen, and you can see why! Lovely detailing on the cabinet doors, a beautiful granite counter, cork floors under foot and one of Roni’s favourite elements, a great marble backsplash. And, to rhyme with “why”… pie. It was my gift to her and her family when she had me over for a visit the other week!! Yum!!!

There’s one feature in her kitchen that is PERFECT for her… a wine fridge

You see… ever since going to Europe in 1981 Roni has been crazy about wines, so much so that she’s taken Sommelier training completing Level 1 in June 2007 and Level 2 in February 2008. Believe me when I say that she knows her wines! I remember watching on the news that the government liquor store had sourced out and was selling a very special burgundy (I think it was), and sure enough Roni stood in that long line and purchased a few bottles for herself!

And me, being the bumpkin that I am, accidently spilled my delectable glass of wine on the lawn of Roni’s beautiful garden. Geesh! :-) Roni’s garden IS lovely… I hope you’ll take a moment to scroll through this album showcasing many of the lovely flowers she’s growing in her yards.

View Full Album

On the day I visited her, Roni told me that she’d recently planted 150 gladiola bulbs! I’m definitely going to have to return to her garden later in the summer to take a photo of all those glads swaying in Roni’s breeze-filled and sun-kissed garden!!

Roni is a Fighter… but more importantly, Roni is a Survivor…

…a survivor of Breast Cancer

About 6 years ago Roni was diagnosed with breast cancer and her treatment included a mastectomy.

Then, after 5 years cancer-free… last fall… Roni learned that her breast cancer had metastasized into her lungs. Treatment this time was more aggressive – chemotherapy. Before chemo could take all of her hair, she and her family had a head shaving party!!

I really like this photo of Roni – her positive attitude and determined spirit are so evident!!

If I’m not mistaken (and if I am, she’ll correct me!), Roni has been involved in Cancer Research Fundraising for a few years now… only this year’s activities, as you can well imagine, have taken on a new meaning to her, her family and friends!

Allow me to introduce you to the Country Dancing Boobies!!

Important Translations:

• A dancing boobie is a bird native to the Galapagos Islands
• Roni likes country music!

Here in Canada the Canadian Cancer Society hosts the “Relay for Life” in communities across the country. This wonderful event is all about celebrating cancer survivors, remembering loved ones lost to cancer, and fighting back in the hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease. Familiar words? Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

In Roni’s community – Coquitlam – the annual Relay for Life was held on June 6th with members taking turns walking and walking and walking… from 10am to 10pm. That’s a lot of walking! Prior to the event teams worked hard to generate a lot of fundraising dollars through activities like hot dog sales (well… I know that this was at least ONE of the things Roni did).

I’m so proud to report that Roni and her team raised $4,690.19!!!!!

Roni tells me that the Coquitlam event is one of the largest and most successful each year, and this year was no exception… the community raised $635,000 for cancer research!!

Let me share more photos of the event…

This first lap is called the “Survivor’s Lap” and usually hosts about 150 cancer survivors with their caregivers. So inspiring!!

Congratulation Roni and team Country Dancing Boobies for such a wonderful, successful day!

Now… what can you do?

Contact your local Cancer Agency to learn about upcoming fundraisers. Get involved!! Donate money… and then donate some more! It’s so important!!

Also… ALWAYS take preventative action so you don’t get cancer. If you have a daughter, take her to your family physician for an HPV vaccination shot! Have regular mammograms!! If you’re a man over 40, get your prostate checked! Always use sun screen!! Take care of yourself FOR yourself and FOR your loved ones/friends.

Thanks to Roni for allowing me to showcase her, her lovely home, her battle with cancer AND her commitment to fundraising for cancer research. It will be because of dedicated individuals like Roni that we will – one day – find a cure for cancer!!

Roni has me hooked on Cancer Research Fundraising… how about you?!

Victoria from Edin Interiors