I'm a 10 year cancer survivor.

Does this mean I can live the rest of my life with no worries now…No…the fear that it will return is always with me. It lingers in the back of my mind creeping slowly into my thoughts and the fear takes hold. What if it comes back.

I had it all, lumpectomy, lymph nodes removed, radiation, Herceptin treatment for a year, tamoxifen, letrozole and 11 years since first being diagnosed I am still suffering the many side effects associated with the “cure" for cancer. So I had a choice..live with my fear and let it overtake me or do something about it. I chose the latter.

Cancer didn’t break me it made me stronger, braver and gave me the courage to fight for a cure. That is why I am now in my 10th year of running for the cure and I will continue to do it until either  a cure is found or I have gone to my resting place. I run for myself in hope the cancer does not come back, I run for my  sister who bravely fought but lost the battle to stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer.  She was a true warrior and I miss her terribly. I run for my Aunt who set a real example for me to follow.  How we laughed while she was undergoing treatments, as we found humour in everything.  I run for  friends recently diagnosed, I run for all those going through the ordeal right now and I run for those who have yet to be diagnosed in the hope they find a cure before too long.

Every day, 70 Canadians will hear the words "you have breast cancer." While these Canadians are living longer, healthier lives after a breast cancer diagnosis, there is still so much work to be done.

By participating in this year's Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure, I'm joining a collective that is a force-for-life in the face of breast cancer.

Together, we can change the future of breast cancer.

Thanks in advance for your support!