Years After Losing Mother Quickly to Lung Cancer, Local Woman Keeps her Memory Alive

Though Terita McKenzie, from Clinton Township, Mich., lost her mother Theresa to an aggressive form of lung cancer in 2019, she continues to keep her memory alive. McKenzie is sharing her mother’s story to give others hope and is participating in the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE Walk in Detroit to raise funds for life-saving research.

“I walk in memory of my mom, and I have high hopes of educating and helping others with this ugly disease,” said McKenzie. “I miss my mom so much, but I know she's so proud of the contributions that I have made to the LUNG FORCE movement.”

Two years after her mother’s passing, McKenzie says that losing her mom so quickly wasn’t easy, but it’s part of her drive to raise awareness and fundraising to help find a cure for lung disease.

“This year would’ve been my mother’s 60th birthday,” McKenzie said. “I hope to celebrate and honor her by being LUNG FORCE Detroit’s top fundraiser. I am setting my fundraising goal for my team TT at $6,000.”

The popular LUNG FORCE Walk is making a comeback to the Detroit Zoo this fall. The 1.5-mile walk, which raises awareness and funding to end lung disease, was a virtual event last year due to COVID-19 concerns.

Registration is open for the LUNG FORCE Walk in Detroit. There is no cost to register, the Lung Association encourages all participants to fundraise a minimum of $100 per person. Those funds will support the mission of the American Lung Association and offset the costs of Zoo admission and parking.

For more information, and to register, visit LUNGFORCEWalk.org/Detroit.