On September 3, 2023, I was paddling in Pender Harbour BC with friends, about an hour from shore, when I received a phone call from the RCMP about my son Keegan. They asked to meet me in person. My heart was pierced with pain in that moment, my lungs emptied of air. A request like that from the RCMP is every mother and fathers’s worst nightmare. The paddle into shore was the longest and hardest paddle of my life. I was paddling toward a future I was loathe to enter. A future without my son. My one, my only child. My reason for being.

Keegan was beautiful soul, loved deeply by so many friends, revelling in any and all experiences life had to offer -snowboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, rock climbing, diving, golfing, kayaking, the list goes on. Keegan also struggled with social anxiety and trauma, and like many young people, turned to ways of coping that were ultimately harmful for him. You can read more about him here https://www.arbutusfuneralservice.com/tribute/keegan-roy-mccartney

On Tuesday September 3, 2024 I will be heading out to the water in White Rock to paddle for Keegan and men’s mental health, providing awareness and reflecting on my life with him, our moments of joy and shared love of the ocean, and its power to temporarily lull the burning ache that is forever within.

I will post the time I will be heading out to paddle closer to September 3 and welcome anyone who wants to join me in remembering Keegan, spreading awareness of men’s mental health issues, and donating to Movember. I realize that September 3 is a workday for many and I’d like this event to be open to everyone wherever they are, and whenever they can paddle for an hour from August 30 through September 3. I have created a Facebook event -The Longest Paddle - and would love to have people post their pictures of their paddle and reflections on that event page and on Instagram with the hashtag #thelongestpaddle

More information about Movember Canada: Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men's health on a global scale, focusing on men's mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. The charity raises funs to deliver breakthrough biomedical research and support programs that enable men to live happier, healthier, and longer lives. 6 million have joined the movement since 2003, helping raise over CA$1.26 billion in peer-to-peer fundraising supporting 1,250 projects globally.