Hello! My name is Maria Igreja. I am a Participant of Hope and I will be walking in the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Toronto.

I’ve been walking with my family in the Run for the Cure since 2018 as my daughter is on the volunteer organizing committee. Last year, I decided I wanted to do more and helped setup the Hope Tent. But only three short weeks later I got some of the scariest news of my life: My routine mammogram and then biopsy results came back and doctors confirmed that they found a tumour in my breast.

It was in fact stage 1B breast cancer.

The months that followed consisted of many doctor appointments, surgery to remove the tumour & surrounding lymph nodes, genetic testing, a high oncotype reoccurrence score, 5 of 8 rounds of chemotherapy which caused many side effects including losing my hair and being admitted to the hospital with pneumonitis (therefore not able to complete last 3 rounds of chemo for it was too risky), 6 rounds of accelerated radiation, and countless other tests and scans that will continue for the next few years. This includes taking a pill (Letrozole) everyday for at least the next 5 years to avoid reoccurrence.

On June 7, 2023, I finally got to ring the bell after my final radiation treatment.

My journey is not over yet, but I am hopeful. I believe better treatment options and survival outcomes are possible. Every dollar I raise will fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and support programs and services for those impacted by this awful disease.

I walk for the 1 in 8 Canadian women that are expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

I walk for all those who have gone or are going through the cancer journey.

I walk in hopes that my daughter, sisters, nieces or any woman or man does not have to experience breast cancer.

Together we can change the future of breast cancer.

So please register and join my team and/or donate today! Thank you for your much needed support.