Hi! Firstly, thanks so much for even being here, on this page, reading my story. It means the world.

For those who don't know me, I'm Kristine, I'm 33 years old, and I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer last year. I had no family history of cancer, I was generally healthy and fit - I didn't exhibit any risk factors whatsover.

Diagnosis

I had discovered a lump 6 months prior to being diagnosed but it was dismissed because I was breastfeeding at the time. When I was finally referred for an ultrasound, I was quickly sent to mammography, where I was told it was cancer (without them legally being able to tell me it's cancer). From there I had a biopsy to confirm the suspicion.

Treatment

My tumour was big (5cm) and aggressive. So I did chemo, a double mastectomy and radiation. It was all very hard. I finished radiation on the 6th of September 2022, and am now taking hormone therapy to keep my estrogen levels as low as possible (so yes, I'm in menpause).

Now/Motivation

It's hard to go a day without thinking about cancer. With my type, the risk of reccurrance goes up each year. I have recently started back at work, and getting back to a more normal routine has me feeling a bit more normal which is amazing. But it is also scary because my old normal gave me cancer in the first place. So I'm doing my best to keep my health as a priority without being consumed by the fear of reccurrance.

Support

I would love your support and this can come in many forms. Donating would obviously be super generous and greatly appreciated, but I understand that's not feasible for everyone. Another option is just to share my story in hopes to raise awareness (I also document my journey on instagram @kriskombatscancer), and hopefully help even just one person from catching their breast cancer early and saving their life. Breast cancer does not discriminate. It's affecting more and more young people now too. So please be vigilant, be a hypochondriac, demand tests from your medical team if ANYTHING doesn't feel right to you.

My fundraising goal is set to $2500, because at that amount I get to choose exactly where the funds go.

I love you all, thanks again for being here, and coming to learn my story!

Much love,

Kristine

And here's the Default Spiel:

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

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 2, 2022.

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.

Thank you! I appreciate your generous support.

P.S. Did you know? A $75 donation can fund a clinical trial for someone with breast cancer to test new treatments to save lives and give hope to countless others.