Selfless mum continues to volunteer despite terminal cancer diagnosis
Michigan mum, Mary Jo Hartman, has dedicated her life to volunteering and giving back to her community. And when the 56-year-old was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer back in May 2012, she wasn’t going to let that stop her from doing what she loves.
"My mum's motto is, 'You can either sit around waiting to die or you can keep living life,'" Sarah Lafevre, Hartman's daughter, told TODAY.com. "She's a real inspiration."
Mary volunteers at a local family crisis centre and youth homeless shelter, and also serves as the youth minister for both St. Genevieve Church and St. Thomas the Apostle Church. According to Today, she loves introducing high school students to the world of volunteering.
But sadly Mary received more terrible news on November 19 this year. Her doctors told her she only had one month to live. Even the grim diagnosis hasn’t stopped Mary.
"If anything, the prognosis has made her want to do more because she has such a short amount of time left," Sarah said.
"She plans to continue working and volunteering for as long as this world gives her.”
Mary is also determine to celebrate one last Christmas with her loving family.
After receiving the news, her family were going to move the Christmas party to make sure she could be there.
Hartman told them, "Absolutely not."
"It's been hard, but we're a tough family and we use humour to get through it," Sarah said. "There's nothing a good laugh can't heal in our family."
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