“Celebrating Being a Woman” supports Lindsay native facing terminal cancer

Nine days before Katie Davidson’s 2015 wedding, the Lindsay native was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

Today, at the age of 33, Davidson faces a terminal diagnosis after the cancer spread through her bones throughout her body and is incurable.

Sunday afternoon, friends and family gathered together to help raise funds for Davidson at the “Celebrating Being a Woman” event at the Devil’s Elbow Ski Area in Bethany, Ont.

“I just can’t believe that these people have … devoted money and energy and taken time away from their families… to help support me,” Davidson said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I just can't believe that these people have … devoted money and energy and taken time away from their families… to help support me," Davidson said.

Julie O’Neil has been Katie’s friend since kindergarten. Along with her mother-in-law, Sandy O’Neil, she came up with the idea for the fundraising event, which will assist with Davidson’s medical treatment and other expenses.

READ MORE: Former Lindsay resident races cancer to complete bucket list

“There are all kinds of vendors here so people can shop, mingle around with their friends, have a glass of wine, some appetizers and just generally enjoy being a woman,” Sandy O’Neil explained.

All the funds collected will go towards helping Davidson with the heavy medical costs she has incurred over the last year. In addition, some of the costs may even go towards helping her fulfil her bucket list.

“I just want to feel that sense of fulfilment again,” Davidson said. “Just having that feeling of letting go and not being sick and being a traveller, a concertgoer… That’s what I’m searching for.”

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Both Davidson and her husband say they were very moved by turnout at Sunday’s event.

“I just want to say thanks to all the organizers for this event, and all of Katie’s friends and family for the support that we’ve had,” said Keith Davidson, Katie’s husband.

Davidson joked that on her way to the event, she spilled coffee all over her shirt — the kind of moment that reminds her not to sweat the small things in life.

“You have to brush that stuff off!” she points out. “It’s really hard to put into words the lessons that I have learned. I think perspective is really important.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You have to brush that stuff off!" she points out. "It's really hard to put into words the lessons that I have learned. I think perspective is really important."

Davidson said she plans on getting rest and looking after her health while also helping to advocate for other women in her situation to eventually help find a cure for the illness.