This past month has been overwhelming and exciting. When I found out that my husband Jason and good friend Annie had nominated me as Mom of the Year (a campaign by Walmart Canada), I was touched. I know I take my job as a mother seriously, but so do most moms. That’s why it wasn’t a surprise to see that almost 17,000 other moms had been nominated from across the country. A few weeks after the nominations closed, I got an email informing me that I was chosen to be a Finalist, along with 7 other moms. I couldn’t believe it! That meant that my chosen charity, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, would be receiving at least $10,000.

Those who know me realize what this means to me. My goal in life is to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis. I want it to happen within Sophia’s lifetime. I want it to happen before she has irreversible lung damage. The clock is ticking. I am driven. Every day I think about how I can raise more funds for research. I try to come up with novel ideas to increase awareness. I want others to feel my passion, and I want it to drive them as well. I believe that we will be successful.

I am so excited about the opportunities that have been presented to me with this campaign. Maybe others will see what drives me when they look at my little girl, and when they hear my story. Maybe the customer buying chips will put his change into the box for cystic fibrosis at the front of the Mac’s Milk store. Maybe the science grad student will decide to choose a research project in the field of cystic fibrosis. Maybe the family trying to stay in shape while supporting a good cause will form a team and raise funds in the Great Strides Walk. Maybe the high school teacher will organize a fundraiser to motivate her students. The “maybe’s” are endless.

Thank you Jason, Annie, and the judges in the Mom of the Year competition for allowing my story to be heard. (To hear the stories of some other awesome mom’s, check out http://www.momoftheyear.ca.)