Regina couple holds fundraisers years after daughter dies of cancer

Years after their daughter passed away from cancer, a Regina couple is still trying to help people with sick family members pay some of the expenses.

Brett and Connie McNaught’s daughter, Courtney, passed away after a six-month battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue cancer. Courtney was 14 years old when she died on Oct. 16, 2005.

Every few years since the passing of their daughter, the McNaughts host a golf tournament. They have staged seven golf tournaments since 2006, and have raised about $150,000 for sick people and their families.

Courtney was kind and gentle, her parents said, and loved helping out with her younger sister and brother. Courtney was not the best at sports, but she would always play hockey with kids outside. She had an artistic side in beadwork, and liked writing in her diary and emailing her grandmother.

“We were blessed to have her for the time that we did,” said Connie.

There are lots of fond memories of Sunday morning waffle-eating competitions at the McNaught family home. Brett would take Courtney to work with him, and remembers happy memories at work together.

“She always thought she was such a help,” said Brett. “She really wasn’t that much, but it was just nice to have her there.”

The first golf tournament was in 2006 after a family friend was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

“We started it because we were very grateful for the help we had when Courtney was sick,” Brett said.

This year’s event will give money to six recipient families. Brett and Connie both said it is not difficult to discover families who need the support.

“It’s sad because it’s not hard to find,” said Connie. “We just want to help and people helped us. It’s like a community comes together, and every little bit adds up.

“When kids are sick and people are sick, you shouldn’t have to worry about money. People blessed with good health maybe don’t understand how much money it costs when you are sick.”

While Courtney was ill, the McNaughts spent lots of time at the hospital sitting and waiting. During that time, the McNaughts met lots of people with sick family members, many of whom did not have the support that the McNaughts had.

“Nothing stops just because you’re fighting an illness, right?” said Brett. “Bills still keep coming in. We never designed this tournament to be able to pay off their mortgage or retire. It’s just something to be able to help them for two to three months, get caught up on some bills or stay caught up.”

In the years since, they are still seeing other people through the tournament who have received money pay it forward to other families.

“We’ve had some really amazing people that we have met, and their stories are genuine and they’re heartbreaking,” said Connie. “The people who have lifted us up are still lifting us up and are lifting others up.”

Right now, the McNaughts are looking for golfers to participate in the event.

The Courtney McNaught Circle of Courage Golf Tournament is to take place on Aspen Links Golf Course on Sept. 16. The entry fee is $175.

Contact Brett at bcmcnaught@sasktel.net for more information or to register. Donations are accepted.