When I was eight my dad was diagnosed with Cancer. My childhood changed in an instant. I watched for four years as my dad was destroyed by this disease. I watched him go through surgeries, treatments and medical crises at home, a place that was supposed to be safe. 

During the final months of his sickness he chose to stay in a hospice. I will never forget the day my mom told my sister and I that my dad will never come home again. That my dad will never be my dad again. I remember the last time I saw him. I hugged him goodbye and he smiled at me. I told him I would see him later, then I walked out of his room and never got to see my dad again. 

My mom came home one night and had to tell her tired twelve year old daughter that her dad had died. I had to watch as this disease not just took everything from my dad but also took everything from my mom. Her husband, her friend and her children's father. 

I am now seventeen and weeks away from graduating. I have now lived without my dad for five years, and still can't handle that I will live without him for so many more years. I hate that my dad will never see me graduate. He will never tell me he's proud of me. He will not see me preform at the NAC at Soirée. And I will never get to hug him again. 

I will never stop fighting against this disease. With nearly half of Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, I’m more determined than ever to help change the future of this disease. My family and friends could be affected. And that makes it personal.

Please help me reach my fundraising goal. No matter how much you donate, every dollar goes a long way. A donation of $25, $50 or $100 could help ensure a team of researchers has the resources they need to make a life-changing discovery, or a patient has access to support services when they need it most.

Think about the impact we can make together!