Ginger McHugh's Page

Ginger McHugh is a 27 year old member of my extended family. She is my daughter's sister-in-law, her husband's sister.
In 1997, at the age of 23, Ginger was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the course of the past three years she has had bilateral radical mastectomies, brain surgery twice, cardiac surgery once and bone surgery on her right hip once, all to remove metastasized tumors. Finally, after going through three different chemotherapies and three rounds of radiation treatment, she has been told there is nothing left that medicine can do for her. 
Ginger, simply put, is dying.
She is leaving behind a husband, two children, a brother and her father and mother.
Throughout the course of her disease, Ginger has shown an indomitable spirit.
She was instrumental in starting a breast cancer support group for younger women and this page is being constructed at her request.
She wants to share her story, not to gain sympathy or have people mourn her, but to try and help other young women like herself and possibly save another woman's life. If it saves just ONE woman then she feels that her life will have had meaning.
I am honored that she has asked me to help her in this mission.
With love for you, Ginger,
Caitlin McKnelly

Sad update
On the afternoon of Sunday, December 10th, 2000, Ginger McHugh passed away at home surrounded by her husband and family. Ginger was an American Indian and when I found out about her passing, it reminded me of a quote from Chief Seattle.

"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." 

I can't think of anything more appropriate for her.
Goodbye, Ginger.