Rose McQuarrie (pictured) was a fervent golfer prior to her passing from pancreatic cancer. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

rose mcquarrie legacy fund

Central Alberta Family raising awareness and money for pancreatic cancer research

Aug 22, 2023 | 10:20 AM

This week, family, friends and supporters will come together to golf and continue remembering Rose McQuarrie.

McQuarrie, who lived in central Alberta and was a fervent golfer herself, passed away in May 2021 after a short and aggressive fight with pancreatic cancer at just 59-years-young.

In all, it was only three months after she was diagnosed with the cancer in stage four that she passed, her family left absolutely crushed by the rapidity of the disease.

“One of the biggest eye openers of this situation was what we learned pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers and has very limited funding because of its challenges of early detection,” the family states. “Through our mourning and heartbreak, we realized that our family needed to try and create awareness and raise money towards increased early detection initiatives.”

L-R: Corey Mckenzie, Aliah Mckenzie, Brandy Mckenzie, Raelee Mckenzie, Kaden Mckenzie, Samantha Tong, Amanda McQuarrie and Jim McQuarrie. (Supplied)

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Shortly after her passing, the family created the Rose McQuarrie Legacy Fund, and is now an approved member of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition. Alongside Pancreatic Cancer Canada, the legacy fund is now contributing to phase two of a research trial in Ontario called Prosper-PANC.

The study uses blood plasma samples from previous clinical trials in a ground-breaking new method of genome sequencing. The hope is that it could have a significant impact on screening, diagnosis and more personalized treatments.

According to Canadian statistics, pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all major cancers, with the five-year relative survival rate at 10 per cent — this means 90 per cent of those diagnosed will die because of the cancer.

It’s estimated that 70 per cent don’t survive past the first year.

“Our primary goal is to raise money, through fundraising efforts, to assist in some of the ground-breaking research efforts towards early detection of pancreatic cancer,” the family adds.

On Aug. 23, the third annual Rose McQuarrie Legacy Fund Memorial Golf Tournament is taking place at Innisfail Golf Club. In the first two years, more than $50,000 was raised, with the target set even higher this year.

To learn more about the Rose McQuarrie Legacy Fund, visit its website.