THS IS MY STORY

I am a breast cancer survivor and cancer free for 4 years now!  

When my son Michael ran a half marathon in 2023 and dedicated it to everyone who has been touched by cancer, his intention was to bring light to this awful disease and mostly for his own experiences with the loss of close relatives and to bear witness to my journey to fight breast cancer. 

I was apprehensive to share my journey, but his story inspired me and opened my eyes and realized to shine the light and bring awareness that could save so many lives by early detection as it did for me.  So immensely proud of his dedication, strength and accomplishment.  He is my hero. 

The diagnosis 2020

I have always been my own advocate for my health, and being proactive and attentive, having lost my brother and father and relatives to this brutal disease.  I conducted regular mammograms and breast ultrasounds yearly.  

Through my specialist's recommendation and encouragement, and my own wishes, I proceeded to do the mammogram during COVID which was terrifying but the best decision I ever made.   

Unfortunately, my worst fear came to be a reality, I was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 days before my son Nicholas's birthday in May of 2020. Not only trying to deal with COVID, I had to cope with this unimaginable news during this already difficult time. I felt numb, overwhelmed, scared and lost.  I am forever grateful, blessed and thankful to the ultrasound clinic that discovered my diagnosis, which allowed me to pursue it and catch it early. 

With the help of my family, support from close friends, God and my angels, I was able to push through, it made me strong willed and made me want to fight with all my might.

I persevered through several surgeries and radiation, all on my own.  It was the most challenging time of my life, but this brought out the Lion in me and the courage to face it head on.

I have learned so much and educated myself with the help of professionals and their insight of my personal experience, and on the different types and stages of breast cancer.  Mostly, the importance of early detection, which in my case, thankfully was caught early.

Therefore, I want to especially thank Sunnybrook Hosptial, Breast Clinic, to all the staff, nurses and technicians, radiation therapy technicians, nurses, doctors, specialists, radiologist, oncologist and surgeons, they all had a hand in saving my life! I cant say enough, for their tremendous support and professionalism and service during my most difficult time, and continue to be today. I am forever grateful.

Most importantly my family, my amazing husband and children, they are my rock, my strength, my everything.  To my beautiful mom and siblings.  To my guardian angels and to GOD for watching over me, and guiding me in the right direction and giving me the strength and hope to push through and for giving me a second chance.

I am a testament of how far we have come, the doctors and scientists and researchers who have made this happen and to one day finding a cure for all types of Cancer.

I hope my story can shed some light to the importance of early detection and to most importantly to have hope and faith to move forward. 

To all the women, especially those close and dear to me who have been touched with breast Cancer, you got this!

Never give up the fight, together we can prevail!

Thank you to CIBC for being an advocate for all women who have been touched by breast cancer and bringing awareness, and mostly for your support.

In conclusion, 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. I believe 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. 

Much Love 

Lily Messina

#FuckCancer!