Remembering Lindsay Thul's Impact in Quad Cities

In this episode…

• 2:16 - Lindsay’s experience 🩺
• 5:04 - Get educated, stay informed! 📚
• 12:15 - Resources for cancer prevention 🛡️
• 18:05 - How to support someone battling cancer 🤝
• 25:24 - Golf outing details! ⛳

Sean Fortin, General Manager at Kunes Nissan of Davenport, had a touching conversation with Diane Koster, the founder of the Lindsay Thul Memorial Golf Outing. As they cruised around in the new 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, Diane shared the inspiring story behind this annual event dedicated to her daughter, Lindsay Thul.

Lindsay Thul was a beloved figure in the Quad Cities, known for her kindness, philanthropy, and success. Sean fondly remembered Lindsay’s impact, stating, "Lindsay touched so many people’s lives in the Quad Cities and beyond. She was known for being an amazing businesswoman, a philanthropist, and one of the funniest people on the planet."

Lindsay’s mother, Diane Koster, expressed heartfelt memories that truly captured Lindsay’s vibrant personality. Diane shared, “Lindsay had the best laugh and she was so funny. We all just really miss her.” Her sense of humor and infectious laughter often brightened even the darkest days for her friends and family.

Diane also remembered Lindsay's determination and resilience, especially during her battle with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Despite the severity of her condition, Lindsay stayed positive and kept connecting with others through her blog. Diane said, “Lindsay wrote 82 blog posts between her diagnosis until she couldn’t post anymore. For the last couple of posts, I actually wrote one and then her brother wrote the last one.” Lindsay wanted to keep everyone informed about her journey and did so with such grace and positivity.

Lindsay's battle with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, began at the young age of 28. Diane shared that IBC is often misdiagnosed due to its rarity, comprising only 3% of all breast cancer cases. Symptoms like swelling, redness, and painful itching are commonly mistaken for infections, as was the case with Lindsay.

Despite initial misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments, Lindsay's condition was later confirmed through a biopsy. Diane emphasized the importance of early detection and awareness, particularly for such a fast-moving cancer.

Throughout her illness, Lindsay maintained a blog to document her journey and keep loved ones informed. Despite her declining health, Lindsay's posts remained positive, showcasing her strength and resilience. Diane and Lindsay’s brother continued the updates when Lindsay could no longer do so herself, ensuring her story was shared until the very end.

Lindsay cultivated her passion for writing during her time as an English major at the University of Iowa. In honor of Lindsay’s legacy, Diane published a book called "Lindsay’s Legacy: A Mother’s Memories," which combined Lindsay’s blog entries with Diane’s perspective as a mother and caregiver. Diane shared, “The royalties from this book, along with the funds raised from the golf outing, get put into Lindsay’s Legacy Fund.”

The Lindsay Thul Memorial Golf Outing is an annual event held at Glynns Creek Golf Course in Long Grove, IA. This year’s event will take place on September 27th, followed by an after-party at The Ridge in Davenport, featuring food, a silent auction, and live music. Even if you don’t golf, attending the after-party is a great way to support the cause and honor Lindsay’s memory.

Local businesses and individuals are invited to donate or participate. For more information, contact Diane Koster at 563-940-6030.

Lindsay Thul’s legacy lives on through the love and support of her community. Her story is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have and the importance of early cancer detection and research. Join us in honoring Lindsay and supporting those affected by IBC at this year’s Lindsay Thul Memorial Golf Outing.

By sharing Lindsay’s story and supporting the golf outing, we can make a difference in the fight against inflammatory breast cancer. Let's come together to remember Lindsay and help others in their battle.