Hi, my name is Lynn Tymczyszyn. I am a breast cancer survivor – almost one year. I finished treatment Jan. 10, 2008. I am back at work and have my life (although a different and I think, better life) thanks to funds raised for cancer research.
We may not have a cure but we have better treatments and I believe we are well on the way to a cure. I feel cured. I know I am ok.
I have done the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure several times but this time was different – it was partly for myself that I walked. I am a CIBC employee and am very proud that we sponsor such an event.I was fortunate enough this year to be the spokesperson for CIBC and made a speech for our Kickoff on Sept. 16 at Commerce Court.
Two years ago, I would never have had the confidence to do such a thing. But now, I believe so much in the message that I had to do the speech. I want people to be more aware and also to learn from what I experienced. I believe that if I had known more and listened more to my body I would have been found it sooner and avoided some pitfalls.
However, it doesn’t matter because I MADE IT!! I AM FINE!! I want to help people get through this when and if they have to. We can all do it. We just have to believe.
I was also lucky enough to attend the Galaxy of Stars event held by the Breast Cancer Foundation which was fabulous. I met doctors who are developing new and exciting treatments and speeches by survivors were inspiring. I have a better understanding of where the money raised is going. It proves the power of women can do anything.
The Run this year was very emotional for me. Seeing all those pink shirts, including me, is overwhelming…so many people! I hope it inspires all of us to keep this going until we do find a cure.
HOPE is now my favourite word. I hope we find a cure. I hope we will end this cancer. And I hope for a cancer free world.
I am one year cancer free, as of Nov 13th . I participated for the first ever in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. I had some friends, my son, daughter and husband beside me. In total I had 20 walkers,and we raised over $8000.00. Wow! I can say that it was one of the most awesome moments in my life.
As I was sitting on the LRT waiting to get to the Run site I was pinning the WHO ARE YOU RUNNING FOR signs on my daughter’s shirt and it said she was running for MY MOM. I lost it-all of my emotions came flooding out and I couldn’t stop the tears. I was the mom that she was running for. In that moment on the train I knew that I was a survivor and I was going to do all I could do to make this disease history. I do not want my daughter, mother, sisters or friends to ever have to go through what I did. Cancer is ugly and invasive but together we can fight this and make a difference so that the precious people in our lives dont have to face this.
I am commited fully to take on this task with the help of my friends and family and the wonderful events like the Run for the Cure-we can make this happen. I will do my part to create awareness and fight.
People are so generous and kind and I thank god everyday for still being here. I look forward to next October to have the chance once again to share in this experience and keep on fighting. To all the survivors out there stay strong and believe, have hope and courage and together we will make a difference.
Madena
I have lost five close family members to cancer, not breast cancer, but nonetheless this had inspired me to participate in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure this year in Oshawa. I lost my mother, my brother, my wife’s uncle, my mother-in-law and father-in-law all to cancer.
My son has a very good friend who is a breast cancer survivor and he asked if I’d like to join their group this year. I did and was amazed at the crowd that turned out in Oshawa to participate for this wonderful cause and it gave me such a “warm” feeling to be doing my part along with some of my family members. We were walking with the “Miehm’s Team Army of Angels” and won for the most money collected and the largest group walking. My son, his wife and their little poodle all walked with me.
My wife decorated a pink shirt with the names of our five family members and I wore this very proudly. I am enclosing a picture of my son Todd, his puppy Rusty and myself taken on the walk. I will definitely continue this tradition as long as possible.
Ralph Bowers
Tyrone ON
Hello, my name is Breanna and our team “Team Finch” ran for women across the world. We support EVERYONE who’s going through or has gone through this horrible situation. There is a cure and we will run until the day it happens! We support you! Aldergrove’s Finch family wore our pink with the message “In Mom we Trust” for our mom, a breast cancer survivor in Abbotsford.
Breanna
Surrey, BC
