It can be said that every American knows someone affected by cancer. Here, that rings especially true for Kenna Murray.
Murray, a Georgetown resident, has had two friends diagnosed with breast cancer in just six months. One of those friends has now passed and the other is a survivor. Because breast cancer has affected her life so much, Murray is now a team leader for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event, coming to Delaware Technical & Community College October 3, hopes to find a cure by raising money for research.
Last week, I took a few minutes to talk to Murray and find out more about why she decided to volunteer for this event.
Q: Tell me about yourself - employment, hobbies, etc...
A: I am 41 years old, married to David Murray and have two children, a son - Spencer 15, and a daughter - Paiton 12. I am employed by Delaware Hospice as a Registered Nurse, caring for those with terminal illness. I am currently enrolled in Wilmington University in the BSN (Bachelors in Nursing) program. I love to read, enjoy going to the movies and camping with my family.
Q: How did you end up getting involved with the Making Strides for Breast Cancer event?
A: Beth Conaway asked if I would be interested in becoming a team leader for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Of course, the answer was yes. My life, like many others, has been affected both personally and professionally with the diagnosis of breast cancer. I had two friends diagnosed with breast cancer in only six short months and as a RN for Delaware Hospice, I provide care for patients who have also been diagnosed. I want to be able to give back to the community by raising funds for research, support, education, and a cure.
Q: Tell me about Missy and Stacey - how did you meet them, how did they affect your life?
A: In November 2006, a group of us went to the Bahamas for vacation. There were seven women on the trip and two of those women were diagnosed with breast cancer within 10 short months of our return. Those two women were Missy Swift and Stacey Kemp.
Missy Swift and I had been friends as long as I can remember. My first memory of her was riding in the back seat of her mom’s car at the age of four going to nursery school and maintained that friendship through the births of our own children and until she lost her life to breast cancer. Missy was such a giving and determined person. She was very involved in the community and would give to those less fortunate at any given time. She was a beautiful friend, an exceptional wife, mother, and daughter. She had a very strong Christian faith and had made one of the most important decisions one can make. That decison was to become a Christian and to accept Jesus Christ as her savior. Even though she was fighting for her life, she never lost faith. In fact, her faith grew stronger. There are many ways in which Missy affected my life, but I would have to say the most important impact she had on my life was her strength and determination as a Christian woman.
