As many of you know, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer on September 25, 2023. After weeks of back-to-back medical appointments and testing, hours spent driving to and from the hospital, sitting in waiting rooms, and anxiously waiting by the phone for results, I received the news I never imagined hearing: I had breast cancer. At that moment, my heart sank. What now? Every fear imaginable ran through my mind. What does this mean for me? For my family?

Since then, I’ve undergone an intensive and aggressive treatment plan, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and now two surgeries—and continue on the path of my treatment plan. There have been days when I was too weak to get out of bed, days when I could barely speak. There were days I was scared to scar my children and days that I had no choice but to miss out. As impossible as it all felt, I somehow made it through. Nearly a year later, I am stronger and still fighting.

The timing of this year’s CIBC Run for the Cure couldn’t be more significant. Just over a year after starting my journey with breast cancer, I’m participating not just as a supporter, but as someone who has lived through it. I now have a deeper understanding of what it means to go through this fight. I’ve created a team of family and friends to walk with me—not only for my beloved Babushka, whom I walked for in past years, but for myself, and for everyone else who has been affected by breast cancer.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that staying positive is the most important thing. It’s easy to get lost in fears about the future and the "what ifs," but I’ve realized the value of focusing on one day at a time. This experience has changed me, and I know I’ll never be the person I was before. That realization is still scary, and I’m not sure I’ll ever fully come to terms with it. But what I do know is that I need to continue learning about this new version of myself, and work toward accepting and loving the person I am becoming.

I hope to be a source of support and answers for others who are on this difficult path, just as I once needed. Together, we can make a difference. 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. I would love to have you join me on October 6th. You can choose to run or to walk, 1 km or 5 km! I will be right there along the way, with the biggest smile on my face...and probably huffing and puffing too!

 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!

 Thank you! I appreciate your generous support.