About the Foundation

The Suszette McKay Memorial Foundation was created to honor the memory of my mother, Suszette McKay, after she passed away from pulmonary fibrosis complications on September 20, 2005.  The Foundation was created to act as a giving vehicle for continued research in pulmonary fibrosis at the University of Chicago.

It’s a difficult disease to endure, particularly for someone who was as vibrant and outgoing as my mother. For the last few years of her life, my mother depended on supplemental oxygen – which meant she carried an oxygen tank with her at all times. Instead of feeling embarrassed about it and hiding, she proudly carried on norma,l every day activities and toted her oxygen bag in a Louis Vuitton backpack. 

My mother was my best friend and soul mate and her loss affects me deeply. Many people that know us are struck at how close we were and often commented how lucky we were to have the deep friendship that we had. I have struggled wondering how she got this disease and then, finally, had to stand by and watch her fight to live for 9 long months without any hope for a cure. 

It is for this reason that I have created the Suszette McKay Memorial Foundation and hold an annual fundraiser to benefit the pulmonary fibrosis research at the University of Chicago so that others will not have to go through the same experience my family did.  It is my hope that by supporting their efforts  that when one is diagnosed as having pulmonary fibrosis, it is no longer a death sentence.

Traci Toutant

President and Founder, Suszette McKay Memorial Foundation

Suszette McKay and Traci Toutant, Founder and President - Suszette McKay Memorial Foundation

The Suszette McKay Memorial Foundation was created in 2006 and received 501(c)3 status in 2008.