NEW GLASGOW
In January of 2000 Neil MacKinnon received awful news. His doctor called to tell him he had stage three melanoma cancer.
He was only in his early 40s and he and his wife, Cindy – they’re both teachers – were busy parents to their daughter, Lisa, and son, Josh, only 15 and 11 years old at the time.
"I had never been a beach person, sun worshipper or a tanner," MacKinnon said. "Cancer has no favourites. It just happened. It was a pretty big shock to the system."
It’s part of why he believes the Pictou County Relay for Life is so important and why he has been actively involved since the Relay started in Pictou County in 2005.
This year MacKinnon has been selected as the community champion for the event.
Co-Chairs Vicki Moore and Janine Linthorne say that the retired high school teacher from Lismore is an outstanding choice for the role as he is an inspiring cancer survivor, a well-respected educator who has taught and mentored many, many students throughout his career and also a faithful Relay team captain.
Kim Dickson, communications lead for the Pictou County Relay for Life, has known MacKinnon for most of her life.
"Neil is the perfect choice to be a symbol and a fitting representative for our local Relay. He is a salt of the earth kind of guy who can rally the troops, and he never forgets his roots and his values. He is hard working, considerate of others, sincere and dedicated to this important cause to help eradicate cancer. He wants to make a difference but never seeks the limelight. People in our community respect him."
MacKinnon says the journey battling cancer is a life-changing one and the relief was immense when Dr. Cole told him and his family that he had "got it all” in the surgery. He then had to have tests conducted at the Dickson Centre in Halifax to see if the cancer had entered his lymphatic system and it was another huge relief that it had not.
"It sure plays on your mind while you are waiting for the test results and it was a pretty good day when oncologist Dr. Carman Giacomantonio gave me the good news."
MacKinnon has continued to be vigilant about checkups and to have any suspicious skin spots removed. He has had some reoccurrences of stage two spots but quick action on the part of his doctors, first Dr. Cole and now Dr. Brad MacDougall, has played a key role to keep him in the clear.
"It's true when they say you get your priorities straightened out and it puts things in perspective pretty darn quick,” adds MacKinnon.
MacKinnon says he is forever grateful for the love and support shown to him by his wife and children, brothers and sisters, his mother who has since passed away, extended family as well as colleagues and friends and also students he has taught and coached over the years. In fact, three people, his wife, his brother Glen, and his close friend and former colleague, John Van Vulpen, have been there with him for every Relay for the past 13 years.
As the 2018 Community Champion, MacKinnon encourages and invites members of the community to become involved. He says it’s an easy event to support with lots of help from a dedicated local committee and reps from the Canadian Cancer Society.
"Everyone is so busy but for the right causes. Pictou County always comes through. People here always find the time and a way when there is a necessity," he said.
MacKinnon says it is tremendous for survivors to be together, that it is important to remember those who lost the battle, to support those who are still fighting the battle, but he emphasizes that there is a great need to raise funds that will enable the researchers, nurses and doctors to continue to provide the best care and find a cure.
"I think the best way I can support the cause is to help raise funds so these professionals can do their jobs."
For those wanting to register a team and to find out more about the Pictou County Relay for Life set for Saturday, June 2, from 6 p.m. to midnight at Glasgow Square Theatre, please contact Taryn Munroe,902-485-6866 or Sonia Dauphinee at 902-921-0222 for team information or to register a team.
Teams who would like Community Champion Neil MacKinnon to attend an event or to discuss providing support in other ways can contact him at 902-926-2310 or by email: [email protected].
