The Chan Family's Story

In 2013, while our family was celebrating our youngest son’s birthday, our daughter Kenzie complained of pain in her side. Emergency room X-rays showed a large mass, which the doctors thought was noncancerous. Her surgery date was moved up due to increased pain, but it went well. Two days after her surgery, we were told Kenzie had cancer.

Kenzie wanted to know the truth, so we told her and she faced the monster head on, just like a true hero. The doctors tried treatment after treatment, from chemo to radiation to new therapies, and all of them failed. Through it all, Kenzie never complained and always gave a thumbs-up when we asked how she was doing. Fourteen months after her ordeal began, our brave warrior earned her wings.

We heard about Faith’s Lodge while Kenzie was being treated in the Twin Cities. Twice, during her illness, our family spent time together there. Away from the busyness and darkness of the world, we didn’t think about Kenzie’s health issues, instead we enjoyed activities as a family from painting to scavenger hunts. We met new friends, whom we still keep in touch with and just relaxed during this difficult time.

We also visited Faith’s Lodge soon after we lost our baby girl, and this time around it had a whole different feeling. A place we had enjoyed was still there for us, only this time, we were missing a very special someone. We met many different families, and they all knew our pain — for some it had been years, and for some the wounds were still fresh, just like ours. We were able to cry without being judged. We felt as though our Kenzie was there in spirit. We listened to other families’ stories, and were able to open up about our own experience. We knew we were in a place that had brought Kenzie and our whole family so much joy. We found comfort at Faith’s Lodge, a place that will always be close to our hearts.

Anna & Doug Chan