Mary Claire Satterly ~ July 8, 1980-April 7, 2008
Reflections on 10 Year Milestone and MCS Foundation
Milestone /mīlˌstōn/ noun:
1. a stone set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place
2. an action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.
It is hard to believe that today marks 10 years to the day that we lost our dear Mary Claire Satterly to Leukemia in a very sudden progression of the disease (5 days from her diagnosis to her death). The circumstances of losing our young daughter, sister, aunt, and dear friend so suddenly was unimaginable to us. Not a day goes by that we do not remember and miss MC and treasure how her life touched our own lives for 27 years.
Today we wanted to reflect and give thanks for Mary Claire’s friends, family and colleagues as well as our own friends and communities who supported our loss. We have been comforted and touched to learn about how many lives Mary Claire’s bright personality impacted.
We are grateful to all of those who have joined us in sharing “MCSpirit” through the Mary Claire Satterly Foundation. Founded in 2008, in remembrance of Mary Claire’s zest for life and concern for others, our first goal was to donate the MCS Pediatric Playroom at the Lineberger Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill. Thanks to many generous donors and many memorable fundraising events, the doors of the MCS Playroom opened in 2009. The following year, we awarded a research grant to Dr. Phoenix Ho, a promising young doctor in Seattle, who has dedicated his life to finding a cure for AML Leukemia, the disease that ended Mary Claire’s life.
Through an ongoing partnership with Dr. Stuart Gold, Head of Pediatric Oncology at UNC, the Foundation has continued to provide support services to the MCS Playroom. Projects have included a Digital Art Therapy program, Family Support Services, toy “doctor kit” program and regular replenishment of toys, books and supplies for the patients. In addition, the Foundation has founded the “MCSpirit Scholarship” which is awarded each year in Wilson, NC to a graduating senior based on attitude, character and concern for others.
We are delighted to announce that in 2018, the Foundation is supporting the first therapy dog for the pediatric wing at Lineberger. We can’t wait to see the smiles and hugs this program is bound to bring to the kids, families and staff!
So, as we mark this April 7th – amidst basketball brackets, Easter celebrations, azaleas blooming and the Masters Tournament – we pause to give special thanks for Mary Claire’s precious life and all that she has inspired in her wake. We are encouraged to exemplify MCSpirit whether it is sharing joy with others, spending time with friends, making a child laugh, giving blood, or writing a thoughtful note. We have passed another milestone in our loss but continue to thank God for Mary Claire and smile as we always hold her in our hearts.
Love from Mary Claire’s family