My story started before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother was diagnosed in 2000. I always assumed afterward that I would probably get hit as well. I mean if mom had breast cancer the possibility of us getting it was fairly likely.  By 2020 both my aunts and my grandmother had already been diagnosed with breast cancer. Two of my aunts decided to do the BRCA gene testing. The tests returned positive and they shared the news with the rest of the family. I then decided to do the BRCA gene testing as well and was positive. Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. I  not only had double breast cancer, but two different kinds of breast cancer that thankfully the MRI picked up and were found early on! I underwent a double mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction in October 2021, finished chemo and radiation by June 22, and underwent a prophylactic hysterectomy in October 2022 The road to recovery has been long and I now have issues focusing, lots of fatigue as well as joint and mobility problems. Sadly, I'm not the only one in my family who's been hit with this diagnosis. My mom, aunts, and grandmother went through this before me but two years ago,  my 29-year-old cousin (who also had the gene testing done) was diagnosed as well as my uncle who, like me, had cancer in both breasts. This past year, my sister-in-law has been diagnosed and is starting her healing journey. I’m not only fundraising for the future care of my relatives and loved ones but for better cancer support programs.

To show my support for my family and 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 6, 2024.

With your help, I can reach my fundraising goal and make a life-changing difference for many people. Every dollar I raise will fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and support programs and services for those impacted by this disease.  If you’d like to join my team, Team Courage, we will gladly support you!

Thank you! I appreciate your generous support. 

P.S. Did you know? A $75 donation can fund a clinical trial for someone with breast cancer to test new treatments to save lives and give hope to countless others.