A word from Joanne...

An estimated 27,700 women and 260 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Canada.

Shortly after my initial diagnosis and treatment of DCIS in May 2022, I was diagnosed with early stage HER2 breast cancer. The news was both shocking and overwhelming for me. I thought that I had already beat breast cancer- I had no idea the largest fight of my life was still ahead of me. HER2 breast cancer tends to be more aggressive, but it’s also highly responsive to targeted therapies. Herceptin, a targeted therapy, which was only approved by the FDA in 2006 to treat early breast cancer saved my life. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Dennis Slamon and his team for their research as the success of Herceptin has been nothing short of remarkable. A short 17 years ago, women diagnosed with my type of early stage cancer had a bleak prognosis and today, many women lead long, healthy and fulfilling lives. I am grateful for all the research that has been done so far to improve treatment for people with breast cancer. But we need more - many women die from breast cancer every year leaving families without mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters, friends. Join me in helping fundraise for more research so that these lives don't have to be cut short.

To show my support for all Canadians impacted by breast cancer, I am participating and fundraising for this year’s Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

With your help, I can reach my fundraising goal and make a life-changing difference for so many people. Every dollar I raise will fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and support programs and services for those impacted by this disease. Please donate today. I believe better treatment options and survival outcomes are possible. I am proof of that! Together, we can give Canadians impacted by breast cancer a reason to have hope. And we can help change the future for all.

Thank you! I appreciate your generous support.

Joanne