Finding Hope Blog – The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

On October 5th, 2008, I participated in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
CIBC Run for the Cure. My mom and my sister Ally came to watch.

Since I have started fundraising for this event back in the summer with my playgrounders and senior leader, I managed to raise $322.70. I started my day with the wall of hope; a few sheets of cloth pulled tight for people to write on. I grabbed the first Sharpie available and wrote on the first space I saw “For Tante Agnes. I miss you. <3 Christiane”. The next step was registration. I went in and picked up my team shirt; I signed up for team Revlon. (Mental note, make my own team next year with a cutesy nickname, I saw some REALLY original teams out there!) Then I set out in desperate search of a piece of paper that everyone seemed to have saying who they were running for. I grabbed a sheet and wrote down, “Agnes Wee” with a big heart beside it. I got my mom to pin my number and the sheet to the back of my shirt. I started getting very emotional quickly, it was quite the environment to be in. I started thinking a lot about my Tante Agnes and how much I miss visiting her in Ottawa during the summer with my Grandmere.

Tante Agnes introduced me to the wonderful worlds of Chocolate Fondue for breakfast, Dim Sum, and of course, the downtown Ottawa marketplace, where you can find some of the most beautiful things, and the most beautiful people. I started remembering what a beautiful woman my Tante Agnes was inside and out, and I started to tear up a lot. As I started the run, (being the blubbering fool I am) I started crying. I tried my best on the run not to stop, but the course had quite a few hills, and on the uphill I got so tired that I had to stop a few times to pace myself. At the halfway point, all us runners came to a set of tables that was matched in height by cases and cases of “compliments natural spring water”. I’ll tell you, I never loved Sobeys more in my life than I did at that exact second. (I’m a front end employee at an Ajax Sobeys) I started walking again and took way too many gulps of water at once. I was coughing for the rest of the run, but I’ll tell you, it was worth it.

I met this one lady on the Run who was running for two of her struggling friends and one survivor. She laughed at me walking on the downhill and said, “Come on, honey! Take advantage of the downhill, walk on the uphills”. When she asked me who I was running for and I told her, I was surprised at how well I held my composure. When I told her that my Tante Agnes had lost her battle to breast cancer, the lady said, “God bless her”. I almost started crying again, but I managed to keep it together.

In the last kilometre, I really pumped it up. As soon as I saw the park coming into view again, I broke out of my light jog into a run. I saw the arch of balloons marking the finish line, and as I got closer, I saw Ally on the side of the road, and she never looked happier to see me. Closer to the line, I saw my mom with the biggest smile on her face, and the most tears in her eyes that I’ve ever seen. I waved to her and ran over to the finish line. The people surrounding were cheering so loudly and were sending out endless praises of congratulations, and with that I started crying again.

As I passed the finish line, there were volunteers handing out pink carnations and I felt so supported and uplifted. I ran to find my mom and when I did, I gave her a great big hug. She kept telling me over and over how proud of me she was. All I could think about was how I should have done this years ago. In all my life, I had never been more proud to have Pothier roots. Or to feel a lot like how I imagine legs made of jell-o would feel.

I will be participating in this Run for years to come, and every year, I’ll run in memory of Tante Agnes. I just know she was there every step of the way. She was running alongside me, putting oxygen in my lungs and spirit in my bones. Thank you to everyone who supported me and believed in me. You have helped me become such a better and stronger young woman. Hopefully next year I can get a team together and we can all run for someone we’ve lost or someone struggling.

In loving memory of Agnes Wee Pothier.
Your family; Pothier, Wee, Martell, and Devost descendants alike
miss you very much and will never forget you.

Christiane Martell

In 1997, breast cancer took the life of my biological mother (Izzy) however it also brought us together.
 
I was adopted by my paternal grandparents when I was an infant.  Throughout the years, Izzy contacted and visited my family once a year.  At that time I was not aware of who she really was….although I suspected there was more.  It was until just before my marriage that the story was told to me.  It was hurtful to think that my biological mother wouldn’t want me however through the years I got to know her.  It wasn’t until she told me she had breast cancer that we became close.  She talked and I listened…I talked and she listened.  When the end was near she asked me to be her POA (Power of Attorney)…that I was the only one that she knew that would do the right thing at the right time.  I had her transferred to Royal Victoria Hospital from Kingston hospital so that my family and I could be with her. 
 
As the end drew near, Izzy asked if I would consider being with her at the end, she didn’t want to die alone. She felt she had no right to ask me because of her walking away when I was an infant.  It was at that moment that we truly bonded as “mother and daughter”. I knew in my heart that what she did was truly selfless and was the right thing to do at the time and she finally accepted that my heart was behind my words.  My husband, my children and I were with Izzy when she passed away…she died knowing she was forgiven and very much loved. 
 
Izzy, I run for you…
 
Diane Elliott
Barrie, Ontario

Maybe I don’t get out much but how often does an 89 year-old woman raise $6,000 on her own for her charity of choice? My mother, Mary Schlanger, did it this year!

My mom had actually raised $3,000 before the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation or CIBC had printed the donation forms for the 2008 Run!  When she first went into CIBC to get the forms the teller didn’t know what she was talking about because she was so early in starting her fundraising.

From a tiny village in Latvia, one of six kids, born to a very poor cobbler my mother watched her impoverished and pious grandmother go from door to door begging people to spare an onion or a carrot -not for herself – but for people even hungrier than her. She would collect these vegetables in her apron and then quietly leave them on doorsteps before the Sabbath. So in this way my mother learned how to give and she often says “I do this for the cause and I do this for my grandchildren so that they learn about being charitable.”

My mother will approach anyone to sponsor her. She carries around self addressed envelopes so if someone says yes (and of course no one can refuse her!) she slips them the envelope to make it easy for them to send a donation. She also bakes cakes and breads and takes them to her various doctors-the biggest contributors are always encouraged and rewarded ahead of time!

To top it off the day before the Run my mother fell on her forehead,  was taken to the hospital and given stitches-and all she could was worried about was whether she could make the Run. She did of course and also managed to get her hair done before!
Way to go, Mom!

Soozi Schlanger

I am an Australian cross stitch designer and I have designed a breast cancer ribbon cross stitch pattern which I am releasing to the public domain for anyone to pass and share this pattern around for free.

Here is the pattern plus a picture of what it looks like completed:

breastcanceribbonpattern.pdf

Thanks and Best Wishes
Tereena Clarke
Artecy Cross Stitch

If you think it’s a long way to drive a car from Toronto to Montreal, try doing it on a bicycle!

That’s exactly what a team of 28 amateur cyclists from Montreal-based Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada did raising over $100,000 for the breast cancer cause. Over four days they pedaled the 600 kms from Toronto to Montreal to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. A second group composed of 18 other cyclists joined them at the Ontario-Quebec border. In total 46 courageous riders completed the trip at 2 p.m. on September 23, 2008 at the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada headquarters where they were greeted by their fellow employees. The riders presented their proceeds to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation upon the completion of the ride.

Several participants in the “Ride for the Cure” raised up to $2,000 for the cause before their journey began. Along with donations they were received en route, they have raised $111,233 for the breast cancer cause.

The first group of cyclists rode between 115 and 200 kms each day. They left from the CN Tower in Toronto on Saturday morning, Sept. 20, and made their way to Montreal along highway #2, stopping overnight in Cobourg, Kingston and, the last night in Cornwall.

“The ride has been an amazing experience, said Jane Hladky, a Senior Specialty Sales Consultant for Novartis in Edmonton, Alberta. “My mother died of breast cancer so it is very moving for me to do this event in her memory and to raise money for the further research needed to fight this terrible disease.” She has four children, three of them girls, and desperately wants to protect them from this disease. Jane raised more than $3,000 from colleagues, friends and family to contribute to the cause.

“I and all of us at Novartis are immensely proud of the effort of our colleagues on the ‘Ride for the Cure’,” said David Meek, President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada. “They are proof of our employees’ commitment to their community and to the cause of cancer research.”

The “Ride for the Cure” effort was created by a group of Novartis employees to increase the company’s fundraising efforts for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. In 2007, Novartis was the top fundraising organization for the Montreal Run for the Cure, largely because of the “Ride for the Cure” effort. Hundreds of Novartis employees, friends and family participated in last year’s Montreal Run for the Cure, as well as at various other Run for the Cure events across the country where groups of field-based employees gathered.

My name is Anne and I’m a SURVIVOR!!!! I was diagnosed 5 years ago and I’ve been fighting through this terrible disease. Breast Cancer runs in my family. My mother and her sister did not survive but my sister and I have. My sister is undergoing her 2nd diagnosis now. She had a mastectomy and chemotherapy 14 years ago the same year our mother died. She is fighting again and has been undergoing Chemotherapy for the past 2 years. She’s so strong.

5 years ago I discovered a lump which did not show up on my annual mammogram. At my yearly check-up my doctor advised that I should have this lump looked at by a surgeon. That was in July and by the 1st week in September I had a Lumpectomy. Then 5 days before my 45th birthday, October 25th I had my 1st of 4 Chemotherapy treatments. In March I had a month of Radiation. It all seems like a nightmare or maybe a dream now.

My co-workers attended the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in the pouring rain that year. I was so impressed that they did that. I’ve had great support from my family and friends over the past 5 years. They put up with my pink breast cancer symbols and support me in any way possible. My only daughter who was only 12 at the time of my diagnosis was very strong for me and helped my husband & I with her caring attitude.

It is so emotional for me to see that sea of pink on Run Day. Tomorrw in Charlottetown I’ll be among those pink t’s once again.  I’m just so grateful and proud to be a SURVIVOR!

Anne MacArthur

Charlottetown, PEI

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 just before my 40th birthday.  Thankfully, it was caught early. I had 2 surgeries but didn’t have to have any radiation or chemotherapy  treatment.  This was challenging with 3 young children to care for, but I was very fortunate to have a supportive family and wonderful friends who helped me in many ways.

I participated in my first Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in October of that year and every year since.  I found it inspiring, uplifting and lots of fun. I had originally decided to not participate this year because I was recovering from reconstructive surgery, until I attended a Survivors photo shoot in my community.  There was a lady there who had obviously had surgery very recently because she had 2 drainage bags tucked in her front pockets.  I decided then and there that if she could do it, so could I.

One week after I registered, I was diagnosed with breast cancer again.  This is disappointing, but it has increased my determination to do my best for a cause which has touched me and my family so personally.  My husband and 3 children will be joining me this year and I hope we can do our little part to make a difference. 
 
Sincerely,
Julia Wormington
Whitby, ON

As Breast Cancer effects everyone in some way, we decided to enter a team to raise money for a worthwhile cause.  We went from a few interested members to a team of 26 and managed to raise over $6,000 dollars and counting.  The event was very well run and affected team members in different ways.  We can’t wait to run again next year with a larger team and a bigger goal!  Together we can beat this horrible disease.

Sheri Lucas

Our firm, the Hamilton Office of Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Barristers, Solicitors, Patent & Trade Mark Agents, has been participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure for 11 years now.  It is the biggest fundraiser in our office and everyone either participates in the Run or sponsors a participant.  This year we had a bake sale and made cookies in the shape of Pink Ribbons and Cupcakes with Pink Ribbons on them. 

The Partners in our firm provide matching donations to all employees who participate.  One of our partners donated tickets to a Maple Leaf Hockey game and that pushed us up to our fundraising total of $20,000.00.  For the last seven years in a row we have won the Corporate Team Spirit Award which we proudly display in our staff lounge.  This year we had almost 70 participants including our friends and families.
 
Almost everyone in our firm knows someone who is directly affected by breast cancer.    I have lost one sister and my other sister is a 5 year survivor.  We run for those we love and our children so that one day they may have to look up the term breast cancer in the dictionary.
 
Betty

My name is Catrina Acocella. In May of 2007, my family and I lost a very important family member to breast cancer. It was a very hard time for all of us, but it was especially hard for me. Julie Pawlick was like a second mom to me. The day we got the phone call was one of the worst days of my life. I wanted to do something to help other people so they wont have to feel the same pain I did, but all I could think was I’m only 13 and there is no way I could help. So I started a foundation called Hearts4Hope. Hearts4Hope sells chocolate lollipops in the shape of hearts. Julie may be gone but with me her soul remains.  She will never truely be gone, I love her and she helped me so much to just figure out the meaning of life.