Hastings woman Sonya Healey – known affectionately as Sunshine Sonya – has spent a poignant weekend in Hawke’s Bay as a Race4Life wish.
The 36-year-old was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer in January this year.
She found about Race4Life – a charity which fulfils the wishes of palliative care patients – through Cranford Hospice and got in touch with her wish before the Covid-19 lockdown.
For her, the most important thing to do with her remaining time is spending time with people and “making sure that everybody knows they are loved and spreading as much happiness and joy and sunshine as possible”.
“We would never have had the opportunity if it wasn’t for Race4Life we would never spend money on ourselves like that. It’s been an incredible weekend.
She was originally diagnosed with stage three cancer in June last year and did aggressive treatment in Wellington.
Part of their weekend included the Targa rally where 2 year-old Julius Healey gave lollies out to the drivers. Photo / Paul Taylor
“When you’ve done all that treatment you kind of think ‘I’ve done it all so it’s surely going to work’ then I got back October November then end of January being given a terminal diagnosis. Finding out that it’s gotten worse is just gutting.
“At the same time, I look at it as though I’ve been given notice. I’ve been given the opportunity to make the most of moments rather than just being taken away.
“So many people lose people to tragedies really quickly and abruptly and I’m thankful that that is not me, that I do get the time to spend and be thankful for it.
“When you’re faced with your own mortality, you can choose if you’re going to make the most of every moment possible, or wallow in pain. I choose to enjoy the life I have.”
She tries to keep her mind focussed on the positive, practises prayer and gratitude and “looks for the good things in every situation, even if it’s just something small.”
Healey has documented parts of her journey on her Sunshine Sonya vs Cancer YouTube channel.
She has also set up a Givealittle page named Sunshine Sonya’s Wish to help provide for her boys when she is gone.
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