After a few years off, I signed up last minute to the Run for the Cure in Durham Region!

The Canadian Cancer Society provides funding for a lot of really great studies and one in particular I'm currently participating in.

Breast cancer treatments are tough on the body and after going through chemo, immunotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries in 2020 and 2021, my heart function declined. This is unfortunately common to see after all the aggressive treatments.

In June I joined a clinical trial through Toronto General's Cardiac Centre. It's for young adults who've been through a cancer experience and diagnosed with stage b heart failure. They help patients get more active through a structured high intensity interval training exercise program, run by cardiac rehabilitation specialists, to improve their cardiovascular health.

I'm halfway through the program and I've already seen a huge improvement in my heart function. Not only have I reversed damage to my heart, I have also felt huge benefits to my mental health. I still have more to go and I'm excited to get my fitness levels back to what they were before cancer.

This kind of survivorship support is so necessary and I really want this trial to be successful and have it rolled out to all cancer survivors who could benefit from it. I'm grateful for the Canadian Cancer Society for supporting survivors to live to their full potential and not forgetting about us and the collateral damage after the initial fight with cancer is over.

If you are feeling a bit charitable, go ahead and donate!

Or better yet, come join me and run in Durham (the 'Shaw down by the lake) on Sunday!