After losing her daughter to childhood cancer in 2012, Ruth Reimer transformed her unspeakable pain into the fulfillment of Kaitlyn's Dream with the creation of Katie Cares and Katie's Cottage.



Thursday evening Reimer was recognized as the 2019 Winkler Citizen of the Year by the Winkler Community Foundation.

"I'm overwhelmed," said Reimer. "It was a beautiful night, there's so much to be thankful for, really."

After being diagnosed with childhood cancer in 2010, then 13-year-old Kaitlyn dreamt of making a difference for other sick kids in the hospital by providing games & teddy bears for them, and a place for families to stay, similar to the Ronald McDonald House. After Kaitlyn passed away in 2012, her family decided to transform their pain into doing good for others and continue Kailyn's dream. From there, and from nothing, her mother Ruth began the journey to establish Katie Cares and Katie's Cottage.

"Kaitlyn's not here, but you figure out a way and you keep moving forward. And that's what she wanted us to do...She wanted us to move forward and provided something for someone else and provide for the community. "

Reimer said Kaitlyn always said how big her charity would get, but when she started her endeavour in 2015 she had no idea it would become what it has. "But to look back on it now, I can see so much, and what it has meant to people."

Reimer says for her, it's not about accomplishment, but giving back as much as she can, whenever she can.

Meanwhile, Reimer was given $1,000 by the Winkler Community Foundation to donate to a charity of her choice, which she presented to South Central Cancer Resource (SCCR) designated towards children's cancer.

Related article: Ruth Reimer Named Winkler's Citizen Of The Year

(L-R) Pam King President of SCCR, Ruth Reimer, and SCCR Vice President Rachel Dell. Reimer was given $1,000 by the Winkler Community Foundation to donate to a charity of her choice, which she presented to King and Dell to be designated towards SCCR's children's cancer fund.