This year, on October 6st, I will be walking proudly in honour of my sister for CIBC’s Run for the Cure. Her team is aptly name “Rowbo’s Resistance” because for the last two years, my sister has been bravely working through a de novo stage four metastatic Breast cancer diagnosis, meaning she was in stage four from the beginning. This year she has had more surgery, continued immuno-therapy every three weeks, and inspired so many in the breast cancer community and beyond with her featured written articles and accompanying podcasts for Wildfire Magazine.

My sister is my hero. For our whole lives she has been by my side through thick and thin. Sharing a common love for donuts, searching for the best food truck poutine, annual adventures to NYC on our birthday weekend, and more recently heading to New Haven Connecticut to watch her daughter, my niece, play hockey. When the weather is warm, you can find us viewing sunsets or searching for aurora on the dock, singing karaoke on microphones and puzzling at the cottage. Kate is my world.

Her diagnosis threw us all for a loop. Just four months after our father died, having dealt with seven different cancer diagnosis’ himself, my Kate was given a stage four metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. She has been determined and strong through chemo, two mastectomies, radiation and ongoing immunotherapy. Her motivation? Love. Plain and simply love from her family and friends, support people, caregivers, healthcare workers and colleagues - her team. Kate exudes love. 

Her team has come together to raise money for Breast Cancer research and to spread awareness.

Awareness

As a result of a family history of cancer, my father and sister both underwent genetic testing. It was discovered that my sister shared a variant of the BRCA2 gene (in other words, a mutation of the breast cancer 2 gene). So to do my part to bring awareness, first I want to say, if your family has a history of cancer, please advocate for genetic testing. With genetic testing, we now know that our children may have the same mutation and will push for regular screening.

Secondly, advocate for regular screening so that you and your loved ones can catch cancer early. If you feel a lump or have a history of breast cancer in your family, request a mammogram.

Lastly, through screening, I found out that I have dense breasts, which decrease chances of detecting cancer on mammograms. Know your breast density so that you can request alternate forms of screening such as ultrasound or MRI if needed.

Early detection is so important!

I am devastated by how cancer has affected my family and am working through what seems like insurmountable grief at the thought of losing my best friend. My sister’s love is guiding me though this storm. Her strength, despite this awful diagnosis is mind blowing. We are hopeful. Fuck cancer!!!!!!!

Please, if you are able, donate today. 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.