For the McKechnie family, cancer descended on their lives in unrelenting waves, each one surfacing before they had a chance to recover from the last.
It began in May 2021, when Michelle’s father — a man she shared an unshakable bond with — was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer and died less than six months later. Then, before Michelle and her husband Tim and son Jackson had absorbed that painful loss, the following April of 2022 brought another torrent of sadness when Tim’s mother was diagnosed with blood cancer and passed away five weeks later on May 17.
On the day her mother-in-law passed, Michelle received a phone call she would have never expected: “You have triple negative breast cancer.” It was a relentless cascade of grief and trauma that would test the family in ways few could imagine.
“We felt blindsided on every level,” said Michelle.
Because of the aggressive nature of her cancer, treatment for Michelle began quickly. On June 9, 2022, just weeks after diagnosis, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy, and in July, she began multiple rounds of gruelling chemotherapy.
The physical and emotional toll was immense. Fatigue, hair loss, and the stripping away of her once strong and fit self left her feeling almost unrecognizable. She completed her final chemotherapy in January 2023, but the side effects lingered and still do.
The Wellspring Alberta Calm
Michelle first discovered Wellspring Alberta after completing her cancer treatment. Like many newly diagnosed patients, she had received the brochure, buried in a large package of information early on, but in those first overwhelming weeks, she says she was “in fight-or-flight mode” and couldn’t process it all. It wasn’t until she was recovering from chemotherapy that she came across Wellspring and summoned the will to walk through the doors.
“Even though I was going through a terrible time and I felt very vulnerable, I immediately felt safe at Wellspring. I had no breasts, no eyebrows, no hair. It was such a difficult time in my life, and yet I walked into a room full of others, and I immediately felt safe. When I had a hot flash, a side effect of chemo, I took my beanie off, knowing I could just be my bald self without anyone staring or questioning. It has been my favourite place ever since,” she said.
Michelle’s first program was Exercise and Educate, designed to meet cancer survivors exactly where they are in their recovery. Whether it was stretching on a mat, lifting light weights, or participating in chair exercises, she and others in the program were encouraged to move forward at their own pace.
Next, she signed up for a gardening workshop where participants were guided in the creation of floral bouquets. “I don’t consider myself very artistic or creative, but that isn’t what Wellspring Alberta is about. In all the classes I have attended, I have made wonderful new friends who truly understand the challenges cancer creates,” she said.
Yoga was an unexpected gift for Michelle. As a runner and high-energy person, she had never considered that yoga would be “enough” of a workout. But through Wellspring’s Yoga for Well-Being, she discovered just how much she needed the mental stillness it offered.
“It was a really challenging practice for me because I hadn’t known how to slow down, how to calm my mind and just be present. Now I realize how much I need it for my mental and emotional health, and I do everything I can to get to this class. It’s my favourite hour and a half of my week,” she said.
Another Turn in the Tides
In Spring 2023, Michelle was beginning to feel stronger, and life started to feel normal again for the family, but unfortunately, not for long. In May, the McKechnies received the toughest wave yet, a tsunami that washed away their dreams for this family’s future plans. Tim was diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer that had already metastasized throughout his body.
“I’m a nurturer and want to fix things, but I couldn’t fix this. I went from having a very involved husband on every front to desperately trying to care for him, be there for our son, look after domestic and house things, and still cope with my own chemo side effects,” said Michelle.
The next 11 months were inconceivably difficult for the family.
“Although Tim showed such bravery and continued to make people laugh with his infectious sense of humour, he suffered a lot. He had major surgery, many rounds of chemotherapy, battled infections, and struggled through the effects of radiation. Even through the suffering and on days he felt awful, Tim continued to make his family and his close friends a priority,” said Michelle
On May 9, 2024, Jackson and Michelle said their final goodbye to their amazing Tim. He was just 64.
Wellspring Through Caregiving and Grief
Throughout Tim’s illness, Michelle leaned on Wellspring for both practical tools and emotional support.
“Wellspring definitely carried me through my own cancer journey, and then, as a caregiver, there were programs that helped me bear the unbearable. After losing Tim, I have very much benefitted from the Reflections, Grief and Loss sessions, a safe place to go and share those experiences with people who unfortunately have similar experiences,” she said.
Today, Michelle remains on long-term disability as she continues to deal with the damage chemotherapy has caused her body and as she faces the emotional and physical pain that grief causes.
“Jackson and I have lost so much in a short period of time, but we carry on. I am taking this time for self-care, and Jackson is working full-time for a company Tim loved. We know his dad is very proud of his courage and resilience,” she said.
As difficult as each day can be, Michelle reflects on the steady current that carries them forward.
“The sun rises and sets every day, even though our world was forever changed the moment we lost Tim. My bond with Jackson is deeper than ever, and Wellspring provides me with opportunities to prioritize self-care so that I can continue to be strong for him,” she said.
The Tim McKechnie Memorial Golf Tournament
Tim McKechnie was a devoted family man, a successful entrepreneur in the trucking industry, and a friend to many. After years of hard work, just as he was scaling back and had decided to make time for a membership at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club, cancer turned his life upside down.
Following his passing, two of his friends from the golf league, men who had spent Wednesdays on the course with him, approached Michelle with an idea of a charity tournament in Tim’s honour.
On May 23, 2025, the Tim McKechnie Memorial Golf Tournament took place at McKenzie Meadows. Forty-four golfers, friends, family, co-workers, and industry peers, came together to play, remember, and give back to the community that sustained the McKechnies in their darkest days.
Their generosity raised over $10,000 for Wellspring Alberta. Special thanks went to Warren Jack for his role in organizing the event, and to the McKenzie Meadows Golf Club for donating the tournament fees back to the cause.
Many hope the tournament will become an annual tradition, honouring Tim’s memory while ensuring other families can access the life-changing support that Wellspring provides.
Create Your Own Fundraiser
We invite our Wellspring Alberta members, families, and supporters to consider creating their own meaningful fundraisers. Whether it’s a golf day, a birthday tribute, a workplace challenge, or a heartfelt gathering in honour of someone you love, these community-led efforts make a profound difference. Every fundraiser, big or small, helps ensure that individuals facing cancer can access the care, connection, and compassion they deserve. If you feel inspired to turn your gratitude, hope, or memories into impact, starting a fundraiser is simple, and Wellspring offers tools and guidance to support you every step of the way. Learn more or begin your own tribute today at give.wellspring.ca/home.