March 17, 2019 - the day I found a lump in my breast. A few weeks later, April 1 - diagnosed with breast cancer. I was a young 33 year old woman. Why was I just diagnosed with breast cancer? Maybe I didn’t eat healthy enough, maybe I wasn’t active enough, maybe I was stressed, maybe it was bad luck! Whatever the reason, I knew my fight was on. I started chemotherapy on April 29, finished chemo on September 10, had a mastectomy on October 17, started radiation on December 10, finished radiation on January 16, 2020, finished targeted therapy on June 25, 2023. 

My story isn’t exactly unique. 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 1, 2023.

I started participating in the CIBC Run for the Cure, on an annual basis, the year I got diagnosed. I think it’s extremely important to bring more awareness to breast cancer, specifically to the fact that younger individuals can and will get breast cancer. I am so grateful for all the research that has happened and is ongoing - with more research and clinical trials, new and better treatments are developed to help tackle this horrible disease.

Please donate today. Any donation, small or large, is truly appreciated!