Every day, 75 Canadians will hear the words “you have breast cancer” and this year I am one of those Canadians.

My cancer was found on my very first mammogram after the age of 50 - I have no risk factors for breast cancer other than being a woman and getting older. I am fortunate to live in Ottawa, Canada where there is state of the art technology in treating breast cancer and I had an amazing medical team supporting me.

Please join my team Just keep running (and walking) and run or walk with us. There are many events in cities all over the country so you can still run or walk with us if you are not in Ottawa. If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation.  

I am trying to put into words how important the ongoing research is for breast cancer - prevention, early detection, treatment and follow up care. But it is so hard.

Everyday, I live with the "worry" that my cancer might return. I am on three different medications that work to prevent my cancer from returning. This medication has altered my life. One of the medications is $100 000 a year and I am fortunate enough that my medical insurance covers it. But the side effects are brutal and I do not have very much energy left. (But on the bright side, I have less than a year left on this one)

But I know how lucky I was to have that first mammogram and find the cancer early enough to have it it removed. And I am just one case - and at the very least, I have medication that works to prevent my cancer. Some people do not. This is why the research is so important. We can find ways to improve early detection. If I had my mammogram earlier - before the age of 50 - maybe it would not have spread to my lymph nodes and it would have prevented the additional treatments/surgeries and need for medication.

Every dollar makes a difference. Your donation will fund the best breast cancer research in Canada and a vitally important support system that helps people with breast cancer and their families nationwide.

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 show Canadians facing breast cancer that we will never stop running.

xox Lisa