Madison Macken is running for her dad and feels connected to her community because her dad was active in it. She has participated in the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake multiple times over the past 10 years. She first started running with her mother, Robin, to honour the memory of her father, Brendan, who passed away when she was only 12. Brendan was six-feet, four inches and had the nickname ‘Too Tall’ – so Madison named her team after him.
The longtime Newmarket resident recently moved to Keswick but still has roots here. She is a grade five teacher at Bogart Public School. Southlake has played a significant role in Madison’s life. She was born there, accessed it when she needed it as a child, and it was there for her dad when he needed it the most.
Madison participated in the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake for about ten years because of the care her father received there. Right around her 12th birthday, her dad didn’t feel well. He was admitted to Southlake. He was active, very athletic, involved in his community and a generous person. She loved her dad so much and has vivid memories of walking with him through the hallways or the stairs at Southlake to take his mind off being sick.
He was always moving but, it was hard for him to stay cooped up in the hospital. So, Madison frequented the hospital as much as she could to be with her dad. They walked up and down the stairs together and paced the hallways. She holds on to these last memories with her father close to her heart. Then, over the week he was at Southlake, his health took a turn for the worst, and he was transferred to Toronto General Hospital. He experienced liver failure and required a transplant. However, he was too weak to make it through the surgery.
Madison describes the loss of her father as fast and unexpected. However, she describes her connections at Southlake as long-lasting, including close friends, moms who work at Southlake or a friend’s father undergoing cancer treatment. “I just have so many connections. Although my dad’s memory is sad, I still have good memories,” says Madison. “Like coming out of the elevator and seeing him waiting there for me and then going for our walks.”
Her grandfather also passed away only two years ago, he was also named Brendan. Brendan Junior, her dad, and Brendan Senior both spent the last part of their lives at Southlake. Her grandfather was 97 and “going strong until the end,” says Madison. “He loved to tell anyone who would listen, his stories. Many people, including the nurses, would hear his stories repeatedly, but they would listen and adored seeing him – always having a smile on their face.”
Madison could not be more grateful for the care both her dad and grandfather received at Southlake.
A year after her dad passed, the family wanted to do something to commemorate his memory. “We wanted to do something because of the compassion the doctors, nurses and staff showed to us,” says Madison. “Friends and family made tribute gifts to Southlake in his memory. This meant a lot to us,” says Madison.
As a result, there is a recognition plaque, honouring Brendan, installed outside an acute treatment room within Southlake’s Emergency Department
“Just knowing that there is almost like a piece of my dad there is very comforting,” says Madison. One day, she plans to have her children at Southlake and having this recognition plaque displayed in his honour, “brings me a lot of joy,” she adds.
This year, Madison is running with her friend, who also lost her dad. She feels deeply connected to this community and knows how important it is to support our health care system. “Although we do have a great health care system, there are a lot of things the government does not support,” states Madison. “We need to raise funds for our hospital so that everyone has the opportunity to leading edge health care in our community.”
Madison increased her fundraising goal to the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake because she had already met it once. She is grateful to her family and friends who have donated and provided their continuous support.
Learn more about the Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake www.runforsouthlake.ca.
