Joanne Mackenzie, the driving force behind Trucking for a Cure, passed away last week after a long illness, Trucknews.com reported.
Known for her resilience and compassion, Mackenzie devoted her life and career to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer, inspiring the trucking community to unite for a greater cause.
Mackenzie took control of the Trucking for a Cure convoy in 2009, transforming the event, along with her friend Laura Horner, into a cherished gathering that raised critical funds for cancer research, combining her professional life as a company driver with this important advocacy work.
Mackenzie’s trucking career began in the moving industry before joining Highland Transport, where she worked until its closure. She then moved to Sharp Transportation, her final employer before illness took her off the road.
Beyond her role as a driver, she contributed to various industry events and organizations. She served as an event planner for Big Rig Truck Nationals, drove guest speakers to the stage for Toronto Transportation Club’s Women’s Luncheon events, and was a member of the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada (WTFC).
Shelley Walker, CEO of WTFC and Mackenzie’s close friend, described her as an “incredible human being” and remembered how Mackenzie showed up in a critical moment of her life when her husband died in an accident.
Walker highlighted Mackenzie’s humor and positivity, which often lifted those around her.
“Joanne was an incredible human being all-around,” Walker reflected. “Trucking was her life, helping people was her life, especially in the cancer area … [the absence of] her presence is going to be deeply felt, not just within the driving population and the community, but also from a lot of executive leaders.”
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