December 16, 2004 was the date that changed my life forever. This was the date I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My children were 12 and 5 at the time. Having been divorced for 2 years already at this time, I was a single mom whose first thought upon diagnosis was my children's welfare. I had 2 surgeries, a lumpectomy and a mastectomy in January and February 2005. I had chemotherapy in March 2005 and radiation in October 2005. I fought tooth and nail to survive for my children. After all my treatment, I went into remission. In 2006, with the help of my family and friends, I developed a team called F.A.C.E. (acronynm for Friends Against Cancer Everywhere). This team is now in its 19th

 year of fundraising and raising awareness for breast cancer. In May 2019, I had the privilege of touring Princess Margaret to see how the funds raised has afforded the hospital machines that now can now help cancer patients by immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is excising cancer cells from the affected person. These cells are then inserted in the machine which separates the healthy cells from the cancer cells. The healthy cells are then placed in a petrie dish and allow them to multiply. Once multiplied, the healthy cells are then injected into the person. This the reason why my team and I run every year. I also had the honour to speak at the CIBC Head Office on August 29, 2019, in which I shared my experience with breast cancer and why my team and I run every year.

Why is my team called FACE?  I had to be very brave and face this illness head on in order to survive for my children.  

Recently, I became a grandmother to a beautiful baby girl and I was able to give my older daughter at her wedding.  This beautiful granddaughter of mine if now 3 years old.  And I am now a 20-year breast cancer survivor.

By participating in this year's Canadian Cacer Society CIBC Run for the Cure, virtually, I'm joining a collective that is a force-for-life in the face of breast cancer. I'm running in honour of the incredible people in my life, and I need your help! Please contribute what you can to help me achieve my fundraising goal. Every dollar makes a difference. Your donation will fund ground-breaking research to help save the lives of more Canadians and provide support programs for people affected by breast cancer. Did you know that just $100 could fund two hours of life-saving research in a world class laboratory? Your contribution could lead to the next breakthrough! Together, we can change the future of breast cancer. Thanks in advance for your support!