Editorial: Tribute to a brave and remarkable woman

Andrew Austin, editor of Hawke's Bay Today.

It was with sadness that I heard the news this week that Kirsty Webb had lost her battle with cancer.

I did not personally know Ms Webb, but this newspaper has been writing about her for more than three years. Countless stories have appeared about this brave woman who refused to go out without a fight.

The 45-year-old mother of two was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. So began a long journey for her and her family and friends as she underwent extensive treatment.

Her story came to our attention when a fundraising effort began, via a Givealittle page, to send her to Germany for radical treatment.

She would end up going to Germany three times - trips made possible by generous donations and fundraising events. Her friends rallied around her to give her support and get attention for her cause.

It was amazing to see a community gather around to support someone, but by all accounts Ms Webb was worth it.

It is easy to throw around terms like brave and courageous, but sometimes they don't seem enough to describe someone who has taken on the most awful challenge head-on.

Ms Webb never gave up and in the process became an inspiration for many. She certainly defied the odds and was still able to spend Christmas with her children after being told last year she only had six months to live.

At the time she said that one never stops fighting when one has two small children. She did it for them. She also realised that she had the support of the community and thanked Hawke's Bay people for rallying around her.

She said everywhere she went people seemed to know her and it was nice that they had been there through the journey, holding her hand.

Ms Webb's story was a public one but all around our region, there are many brave people facing the same fight she did. They are all heroes just like her.

Our condolences to the Webb family.

# Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ms Webb's life at St Luke's Anglican Church, on Tuesday, June 6, from 11am.

# Tributes can be left at www.tnphb.co.nz or posted to the Webb family C/o PO Box 967 Hastings 4756.