To show my support for the thousands of Canadians diagnosed with breast cancer every year, I am participating and fundraising for this year’s Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure. 

In 2020, at the age of 21, I noticed a small mass on my chest. At first, I thought it was just a pimple and didn't give it much thought. However, as the weeks passed, my suspicions grew. Memories of my mom, who had passed from cancer when I was only 7, kept surfacing. I decided to see my family doctor to get it checked out.

As soon as I walked into the doctor's office, I was told I was too young for it to be cancer. This dismissive attitude persisted as I sought opinions from various doctors across New Brunswick. Over the span of a year and a half, I visited multiple hospitals and clinics, only to be told repeatedly, "It's nothing." Meanwhile, the mass grew from the size of a pea to the size of a softball protruding from my chest.

In November 2021, by complete chance, I made friends with a girl at work. She invited me to her place after work for a hot tub session, and I ended up meeting her mom, who happened to be a doctor. She noticed the mass and, for the first time in almost two years, someone took me seriously. Within weeks, I had undergone more scans, bloodwork, and tests than I could have imagined. On December 20th, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 22.

The journey that followed was long and grueling. I had a portocath implanted and began chemotherapy, which led to my hair falling out. I was fitted for a wig and had a head-shaving party with my friends. Months of sickness and countless appointments passed, and eventually, I reached my last chemo session. The next step was supposed to be radiation therapy, but due to the discovery of a genetic disorder, we had to skip this step. I found out I am a carrier of the TP53 gene, a mutation that significantly increases the risk of developing cancer. Because the TP53 gene is crucial for DNA repair and cellular stress responses, radiation could have further damaged my DNA, increasing the risk of developing new cancers rather than treating the existing one.

Finally, on June 10th, 2022, I underwent a double mastectomy. This was the hardest and longest part of my journey. As a 22-year-old woman, losing my hair was challenging enough, but the double mastectomy meant losing an even bigger part of my feminine identity. It took a long time to recover mentally from this, and I am still working on it, even though I am almost completely finished with my breast reconstruction. However, when I received the official title of "cancer-free" on June 26th, 2022, it was all worth it.

Now, almost two years later, I have my life back, but the fear of cancer returning is always in the back of my mind. That's why I am participating in the Run for the Cure. I want to live my life knowing that cancer won't return. I want to ensure that my younger sister will never have to go through what my mom and I did. I don't want to worry about another loved one facing this battle. This run is not just for me; it's for all those affected by cancer, and for a future where we can live without this fear.

I'm running for the memory of my mom, who lost her battle with breast cancer. Her strength and love continue to inspire me every day.

I'm also running for myself. This run is a testament to my journey, resilience, and hope for a future free of cancer.

And I'm running for all the amazing "breasties" I've met over the past few years – incredible individuals who have become like family, offering support, understanding, and camaraderie in ways that only those who share this journey can. This run is for all of us, united in our fight and our hope for a cure.

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. Together, we can give Canadians impacted by breast cancer a reason to have hope. And we can help change the future for all.