Highlight the Fight raises more than $6K in support of cancer sufferers

By Jeremy Appel on October 7, 2017.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

Last year, Kirsten Spek decided to give back to the community by helping those who have been affected by cancer, whether they’re patients, survivors or caregivers.

She helped establish Highlight the Fight, which collects donations that are awarded to someone who’s involved in the struggle against cancer.

“It’s grown astronomically in one year,” said Spek, who works as a stylist at Couture Hair in Medicine Hat.

This year they’ve raised between $6,000 and $7,000, whereas last year, they raised $2,000.

For Spek, the struggle is personal.

“I lost my mom to cancer when I was 16,” Spek said. “She was really involved in community and non-profits. That was really important to her.

“She’s really my driving force for wanting to do something for somebody else and somebody who’s been struggling.”

Due to a shortage of nurses, Spek was forced to drop out of school when she was 12, to take care of her mother.

“Instead of her having to stay in a hospital full time, I stayed home with her during the day and my dad took a new job,” she said.

Spek hopes to raise enough money in future years to offer prizes to more than one person.

In addition to Couture Hair, sponsors include Beauty Therapy, Alberta Massage and Spa, Roset by Reid, Heartbreakers Dance and Fitness, Dress Your Lashes, Moxie’s, Hranco Industries, Inland Concrete and Diamond Link Fencing.

“It’s a nomination process. We give people a month to nominate people they think is deserving of the prizes or the experience.

“It’s open to anybody who is currently battling, who has battled, or to those caregivers who have dedicated their lives to caring for their loved ones who have been sick,” she said.

Last year’s winner, Sonja Scott, passed away this past year.

“She was in her early-to-late 20s and battling brain cancer for the third time,” Spek said.

The plan for the future is to register Highlight the Fight as an official charity, so they can take more donations.

“I’ve actually had to tell people that I couldn’t take on anymore sponsors this year, because it was growing too big too quick,” said Spek. “I was not really equipped or ready for that.”

Those who want to nominate someone for Highlight the Fight have until Oct. 20 to e-mail highlight.the.fight@gmail.com.

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