(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor-Essex County Branch)(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Mental Health Association - Windsor-Essex County Branch)
Windsor

Son celebrates Mother's legacy with fundraiser and public awareness campaign

It is never easy to lose your mother, but losing her during a pandemic is especially hard.

Dan Brown would know. His mother, Cynthia, lost her battle with ovarian cancer on March 21.

Cynthia Brown was an occupational therapist in the early intervention program at the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch, and he wanted to honour her legacy this year.

First, he created 'Cynthia's Flowers' in celebration of her life. The fundraiser offers flowers for $10, with the proceeds going to the CMHC - Windsor-Essex County Branch's Griefworks program.  It continues to take donations for the agency.

"I never would've thought even part of me would be looking forward to this difficult weekend," said Brown. "Our family is moved by the hundreds of flowers spread across our region in my mom's name."

He also posted a series of interviews on the agency's Facebook page including, former Griefworks client Catrina Franzoi and Nancy Campana, whose son died by suicide. The annual fundraising run, 'Run for Rocky,' was set up in his honour and has raised $300,000 for Gay-Straight Alliances in high schools.

Read More Local Stories