The family and friends of Jackie Sutherland who passed away from a brain tumour earlier this year aged 52, have vowed to raise money for vital research in to the disease.
Mrs Sutherland, who lived with her family in Conon Bridge, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in November 2013.
Following the diagnosis, she underwent two rounds of surgery in 2013 and 2015 to de-bulk the tumour. In 2014 she began a gruelling course of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy in 2015.
It was a traumatic time, but she refused to let the illness define her. On the contrary, as her daughter Katy said: “Mum was coping so well with the treatment, everyone would comment on how well she looked when we were out shopping or for lunch.
“She loved hearing those words.”
However, despite initially responding well to treatment, Mrs Sutherland had a stroke last August and the family were given the news the tumour had returned and it was inoperable. She died in February.
She left behind a daughter Katy, a son Jack, and husband Ian.
But as the former said: “Mum was in the tiny 3% statistic of those who would outlive three years with the disease.
“Mum really was amazing, she never once gave into defeat, she called the tumour an ‘inconvenience’ and was determined it wouldn’t get the better of her.
“When I say she didn’t complain once I genuinely mean it. With every right in the world to complain, mum was more worried about how everyone else was coping. Her positive attitude was inspiring.
“I genuinely believe her attitude alone gave her extra time, she wasn’t going down without a fight. She was a very special lady to so many people and this was reflected at her funeral service; the church was packed with over 500 people attending.”
Mrs Sutherland’s family and friends are now hoping to improve the lives of others affected by brain tumours.
Katy has established ‘The Jackie Sutherland Fund’, an official supporter group of The Brain Tumour Charity.
And she said: “Losing someone you love is hard, but watching someone you love lose each of their senses over a cruel six-month period and all you could do was hold her hand, smile and tell her how amazing she was and that things were going to be okay – I’ve never felt so useless.”
“We would hate for someone to go through what we have as a family, and have vowed to tirelessly raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of our beautiful mum and her courageous fight.”
“With further research and understanding, I hope it will prevent families in the future losing a loved one too soon to this horrendous disease.”
The fund has already raised over £16,500 and they are continuing their fundraising effort with a two day tea party at Tina’s Tea room on June 23 and 24.
Geraldine Pipping, The Brain Tumour Charity’s Director of Fundraising, said: “We are immensely grateful to Jackie’s family and friends for raising awareness and funds in the face of their own loss.
For more information on the fund, go to:
https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/get-involved/supporter-groups/groups/the-jackie-sutherland-memorial-fund/
