Meet Kathryn Millroy

We recently connected with Kathryn Millroy and have shared our conversation below.

Kathryn, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My purpose came into being after a very traumatic experience in my life. I am a mother. I am a caregiver by nature. When my son was diagnosed at 27 years old with a rare cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, there was no question that I would be by his side. And I was for 4 years. He was a statistical outlier. He was treated with chemo and radiation and beat this cancer 4 times. But it came back a 5th and his oncologist in Canada had no more options for his treatment. He researched doctors in the US who specialized in his cancer, and chose to go to the Cleveland Clinic to be treated by Dr. Pete Anderson. We loved him the moment we met him on our first call. He dedicated his life to research and treatment of childhood cancers. He is an incredible doctor. He did everything in his power to cure Sean. Unfortunately, the cancer had mutated into a more aggressive form, and he passed away in January 2023.
Sean was focused & optimistic.
His hero was Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He respected and admired him. He never gave up, even in the last minute of the game. He was his North Star. There is a nod to him in my book. Sean also got a letter from Mario Lemieux, who is a cancer survivor himself. It meant so much to him that he took the time to encourage him during treatment. Penguins games were some of my boys fondest memories of growing up in Pittsburgh.
Sean advanced science and pursued his cure. We were at a Children’s Clinic in Cleveland so Sean knew that everything he did would possibly help other children in the future. I know his heroic efforts will save a child one day.
I wanted to turn something difficult into something positive.
I started a nonprofit in his memory. Kids on Carousels Foundation is my purpose to help children with cancer & their families. I wrote a children’s book about a young boy going through cancer so these children could see themselves in a story. I wanted to acknowledge that they are superheroes.
This is Sean’s legacy. He was my hero. I will do anything I can to help another child with cancer. Sean’s optimism and will to live made both of us laser focused. To say I admired him is an understatement. He lived in the moment. He opened his life and told his story so he could help others. As a family, we are grateful we had him for 31 years. We think of him every moment of every day. Be here now, that was his mantra. We know how precious every day is because of Sean.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am the founder of a 501c3 non profit organization based in North Carolina.
Our website highlights children “SUPERHEROES” going through cancer …just diagnosed, in treatment, in remission, we will always support & stay in touch. Cancer doesn’t end when treatment is finished. We offer monetary help for any expenses beyond the treatment.
We honor our superheroes as well as children who have passed away from the disease.
We focus on fundraising, awareness, and supporting families throughout their journey.
We have had 2 major events/fundraisers our first year, benefactor for The Pete Thompson Classic hockey tournaments, silent auctions, raffles and personal donations. Our events are open to the public.
We sell our book on the website, you can also gift a book to a child with cancer. I was an elementary school teacher and always wanted to write a children’s book. Before Sean passed away, he told me to maximize my talents. I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t sleep one night so I went upstairs and sat in his chair and wrote the story in 4 hours. I am certain he was there with me.
The book was illustrated by a young woman just out of college. She graduated in ART, with a major in storyboard, who knew Sean her whole life. The art is so personal and means so much that she turned my words into this beautiful piece of art.
We donate books to doctors, nurses, hospitals, childcare specialists, grief counsellors & any child/family who it may help.
We are trying to open a dialogue about taboo & uncomfortable topics, like death and cancer.
We are looking for corporate sponsors/grants for our mission.
Our next event will be at a restaurant in Wilmington NC, a secret location, more to come!! Wilmington, NC has embraced the foundation in our first year and made us feel like a part of their community. Their generosity has been overwhelming.

We share Sean’s story on our website www.kidsoncarousels.com
You can also follow us on Instagram & Facebook @kidsoncarousels

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say CONNECTION is the first. I tried to remember every person we came into contact with and wrote it all in a journal. Whether it was a good or bad encounter, it taught us something along the way. I especially remember the people who were in our path who made an impact on us and thanked them. I like to call them angels on earth. I was so grateful for them. You can tell so much from a person’s eyes especially since everyone wore masks during our hospital appointments.
PERSISTANCE would be number 2, never give up attitude. It carried us through 4 years. It carries me through my grief. I have been through hard things so I am less afraid. I can be relentless, which is a good quality when you have a goal.
EMPATHY is number 3 …putting yourself in someone else shoes. I am comfortable with being uncomfortable. So, sitting in the muck is something I am ok with. I can empathize with struggle and listen with compassion. There are many topics that people run away from and are taboo. I’m good with all of it. I am grateful to the people who ran into the fire with us when we were going through Sean’s illness. I would rather people are vulnerable instead of being isolated and alone in their thoughts, worry & grief.
I think you develop these qualities through struggle in your life & get better at them as you get stronger.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

They made me confident in who I was and told me not to be worried about other people thought of me. I’m not saying that it was always easy. I remember hearing their voice. saying “To thine own self be true”. I have tried to live by that and make choices in my truth.
In the past few years, I have moved more confidently through obstacles. I feel stronger in adversity. They taught me to always do what i thought was right, even if it wasn’t the popular choice. I watched them walk through difficult things in life with grace. I admired their strength.
They were stable and a consistent in my life, but they were more private than me.
I try to be more open and share my story. When you have a story that can help others, it is important to tell it.
It is difficult to be vulnerable but useful.
They taught me stand up for myself.
I learned to create boundaries to protect my peace.
If you are a good person, it will come back to you. You have a duty to help other people.
I am grateful for my parents.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kidsoncarousels.com
• Instagram: @kidsoncarousels
• Facebook: Kids on Carousels
• Linkedin: Kathryn Millroy
• Other: [email protected]

  Mailing address
  PO Box258
  6351 Ocean Hwy E
  Winnabow, NC. 28479-5770

Image Credits

Kathryn Millroy