The world changed forever for 22 year old Mackenzie Ritchie on the morning of Thursday, October 9th, 2025, with five little words… You have a brain tumour.

This discovery came about from an MRI Mackenzie had had that very Monday to determine the cause of years-long hormonal imbalances. While investigating her pituitary gland, a large tumour was discovered in her left frontal lobe. A full body CT scan and second MRI just three weeks later confirmed it as a diffuse primary tumour, measuring 5x7x3 cm. For context, imagine something the size of a kiwi fruit growing into your brain.

Following her surgery in November, which successfully removed an estimated 40-50% of the mass, Mackenzie has been officially diagnosed with Grade 2 Oligodendroglioma, a slow-growing brain cancer. As her surgeon has told her, it’s the better of the brain tumours to have in terms of survivability. The frustrating part of this type of tumour is that, sadly, it is incurable as it can never be fully removed with surgery. The tumour will continue to spread, infiltrating deeper into healthy brain tissue, requiring lifelong monitoring.

As her tumour is non-aggressive, she will have her next MRI in February or March this year. These new images will determine the next phase in her treatment. If Mackenzie can tolerate it, for the next surgery, she will remain awake since its location within the brain is the region responsible for language production. Obviously, it’s imperative this area is not further damaged. After the surgery, chemotherapy and possibly radiation will be discussed.

Mackenzie’s tumour is thought to have originated sometime before graduating high school in 2020. Initially, this discovery came as a shock. However, after learning of its common symptoms and how they present, things began making more sense. The most apparent being a noticeable decline in social skills and chronic tiredness, as well as years of occasional seizures that were dismissed or brushed off.

Mackenzie graduated from Vancouver Island University (VIU) in June 2025 with a Bachelor of Science - majoring in Psychology, minoring in Biology and Criminology. Whilst on Vancouver Island, she enjoyed exploring and hiking, chasing waterfalls, and re-immersing herself in rock climbing, before moving home to Prince Rupert that summer.

From the end of July 2025 until learning of her brain tumour, Mackenzie had been working two jobs. The first job was with the North Coast Transition Society (NCTS), at two of their supportive housing locations within the community, offering support whenever possible to their 81 residents. Her second job was with Galaxy Gardens, a Chinese restaurant where she began working during her final year of high school and over the holidays when home from university. She maintained balance through exercising at the gym and exploring BC’s beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Despite being advised how fatigue would be her biggest barrier post surgery, Mackenzie still returned to VIU in 2026 for the spring semester to complete her Addiction Studies Certificate. With classes now in session, yes, fatigue is definitely a concern. However, in the big scheme of things, it’s simply yet another hurdle for Mackenzie to overcome.

In addition to her academic pursuits, while in Nanaimo, Mackenzie intends to train with the Vancouver Island Crisis Society to obtain one-on-one counselling experience, to better understand how to hold her composure during high-stress situations. This, and all her additional studies, go towards her Master’s application for Genetic Counselling.

As of now, it’s expected that her language articulation (and production) will return to normal, or at least to the same levels as before the growth, though it will take time. That said, Mackenzie has been given the all clear to live her life to the fullest… at least until her next surgery.

To quote her surgeon, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Your support will help Mackenzie and her family with the financial setbacks associated with lost wages, travel from the rural Northwest Coast, and accommodation costs for each surgery she will endure.