Pat McKinney touched many lives. She was the Cancer Nurse Navigator for many Wind River alums, and the person who first told me about Wind River as I sat in that red faux-leather chair in my oncologist's office receiving my first dose of chemo. Pat handed me a postcard and said, "I think you should look into going to a retreat here. I hear they do wonderful things and I know it will be perfect for you."

Pat worked closely with cancer survivors in and around Charlotte. I remember her telling me to "Connect with Laura Reneger. She's an amazing person -- very positive!" (She was right!) Pat always encouraged her patients to be active in their survivorship. "The more involved you are, the better your outcomes," she used to say. She was always there for me any time I was scared, or worried about a test result. She didn't just care about our physical well-being -- but our spiritual and emotional well-being as well. I used to thank her all the time for being there to "talk me in off the ledge" when I would wake up in the middle of the night drenched in worry.

Pat was a beautiful light for so, so many people. She was kind, smart, funny and filled with Faith. I miss Pat but I know that she is at peace. Her kindness and amazing spirit lives on in all of those that she touched in her life....especially all of us in the Wind River Family.