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Meet Karen! Karen has been living here in Kelowna with her family for 30 years. She is extremely passionate about spreading the awareness of Melanoma and preventing the dangerous effects that Skin Cancer can cause. After the tragic loss of her son from Melanoma in 2016, Karen created the organization "Morgan's Mole Patrol" in hopes to heighten awareness of the prevalence of skin cancer and motivate individuals to be aware of the early signs of this potentially life-threatening disease.
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I have lived in Kelowna for the past 30 years.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My Husband Paul because I love him!
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Wow hard! Probably the mall, lol.
Describe yourself in one word.
Loving
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Isle of man, my father's birthplace.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Riding my bike.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Being called an "ederly couple" in the paper.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Running a family care home for 14 years with Interior Health has inspired me to do great things for the people I am able to.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Spending time with family at our Cottage in Northern Manitoba.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
We have been involved in "Stuff the Bus", a fundraiser for the Food Bank and we were lucky enough to have both of our granddaughters with us for both days!
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
A cure for all cancer.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Anywhere along the lake.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Sunscreen dispensers avaialable on all Okanagan lake!!
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Everything!!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Visit Isle of Man
One more EPIC concert
Drive from west to east coast of Canada
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I'm the same age as Barbie!! Lol
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Just Facebook so far.
What is the name of your business/organization?
Morgan's Mole Patrol
Why did you get into/start this business?
Sadly, after my son's passing in December of 2016.
What is the goal of your business?
To increase awareness about the fact that a MOLE CAN KILL YOU.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Grief.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would have made my son get another opinion about his mole from a doctor.
What do you always find yourself saying?
"You get what you give!"
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
"You get what you give!"
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Anyone strongly connected to starting a foundation/charity so I could learn how to move forward with MMP.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To support local merchants.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
My children.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
My daughter in law Jenny because she was so in love with my son Morgan, and she has had to remain strong for their boys, one which was only 6 months old when Morgan passed.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
It is just so important to know your body and keep track of those Moles!! I found one on the back of my leg in 2016 as well but I went to a walk-in docotor instead of Family Dr. like Morgan did and I was lucky and had surgery right away to remove stage 1 melanoma. Family dr told Morgan the mole on his back was benign and 3 months later he had stage 4 and passed away 9 months later. It's so important to get to know your body and check those moles!
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
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