My sister Kelley was diagnosed last year this time. Since then I have watched her triumph through Chemo and Radiation. The love and support from friends, family, extended friends and family and complete strangers is some days overwhelming but ALWAYS welcome.
Through every step I have sent out emails to keep everyone up-to-date. Those emails were titled “Kelley Update”. I personally sent out approximately 100 emails every time and I know those got past on. Amazing technology!
We have stayed positive through this whole journey, even in moments of uncertainty through the love and support of all those friends, family and so on. As you may notice I use “we” a lot. In our situation there isn’t just Kelley that is affected by cancer, it’s our entire support system. Everyone has been supportive in whatever way they could and it is that love and support that got us through.
Kelley is an amazing lady and I am very proud of her. She is the captain this year of 45 members of “Kel’s Krew” for the Run. The team keeps growing so who knows how many team members by Run day! We have team mates across Canada!!!
Oh yeah, one last thing…This one’s for you Kel….WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!! Love ya!
Kat
My team “Bosom Buds” participated in the Ottawa-Gatineau leg of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure.
This year was especially emotional for us because our dear friend Nancy, the survivor on our team, got to dance at her daughter’s wedding one week later on October 12th – something she wasn’t sure she’d be able to do a few years ago.
We all hope for the day when there won’t be a Run because a cure will have been found but until then, we’ll be there every year.
Lorraine Nesrallah
BOSOM BUDS
Hi there,
I would like to share my personal story about breast cancer with you.
On Aug. 21, 2006, I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. I had surgery just 8 days later to have my left breast removed. By November of that same year I was ready for chemotherapy. I had 6 cycles which meant 1 treatment every 3 weeks until February 22, 2007, this was what I thought to be my last ever chemotherapy.
In June of 2007, I moved out to Fort McMurray. The move was great and I was beginning to make new friends. I had discovered that a breast cancer support group was forming and knew this was certainly for me !!
I got involved with the group and such a strong friendship was formed by us all. Through this group I found out about the Pink Ribbon Run, which is now the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run For The Cure. I registered a small team and we participated in the Run. I was also given the opportunity to share my story with others, as I was invited to be the inspirational speaker for the event last year !! What an honour that was for me.
Later that year things were changing, I was not feeling great. By January 2008 I knew something wasn’t right. After seeing my doctor and hoping it was all just stress, I found myself having to go for tests and see specialists. Finally, the news came, it was cancer again. This time it was more seroius, it was terminal. I was given 3-6 months to live without treatment. Due to the location of the cancer surgery was not an option. I am a fighter and the cancer had found a location that would make it difficult for me, it was surrounding my Aorta and slowly sqeezing until eventually I would have a heart attack or stroke. With further tests it was clear the cancer was not stopping, it had also gone to my lung and my lower back and pelvis. I am still a fighter !!
I am now doing my chemotherapy treatments and am 2/3 of the way through. I’m feeling good and staying positive. Upon receiving my diagnosis, my first thought was to fight this all the way !! The Doctors wanted to buy me some time and I knew that if I took the treatments it would be in my favour. If I get to live an extra year or two then medicine will be that more advanced and who knows, that cure may be found by then. I believe that cure is coming someday soon, so let’s continue to work together, I want that cure !!!!
Karen Blundon
Fort McMurray, AB
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is a volunteer-led event. It is made possible by the thousands of volunteers across the country who donate countless hours of their time. Some of the most dedicated of our volunteers are the Run Directors who organize the Run at each Run site. They look after every detail big and small- from making sure there are tents for the sponsors to booking talent to helping process the donations. The Run Directors are intergral to the success of the Run. Here is Vancouver’s Amanda McNally’s story of her experience as a Run Director.
In January of this year I joined the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as the Vancouver Run Director. The role of Run Director has given me more than any amount of therapy could have. I have been able to share my mother’s story to help inspire others and although I did not “run” in this year’s event, everything I have done I did for my mother and my son’s mother.The first time I heard the words “breast cancer” I was 12 years old. My mother was in the hospital having just been diagnosed at the age of 38. On August 15, 1989 my mother passed away after the cancer spread throughout her body. I was 16 years old. The worst part of it for me was feeling powerless. Thankfully, years later I started participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. I could never have imagined how much the Run would impact my life and I have continued to participate over the last 10 years.
In November 2006 my son was born. Nothing could have prepared me for the grief that I was about to encounter. I always knew that I would miss my mom when I had children but this was more than that, it took me out at the knees. I was sad for what she was missing, what I was missing and what my son was missing. I was also completely overcome by the thought of “what if what happened to my mom happens to me”. It was then that I realized I wanted to get more involved in the fight against breast cancer.
It is now that I am certain I am giving my all to help ensure that my son never knows what it is like to lose his mother to breast cancer. The role of Run Director offered me the opportunity to work with some of the strongest and most amazing women I have ever met. Standing on the stage as the Run begins with all these women, watching the crowds of people coming together, all those women in pink survivor shirts, men, women and children holding hands, is forever burned in my memory. There are not enough words to thank everyone who participated, donated or volunteer. Each and every one of them gives me hope that we will create a future without breast cancer.
Amanda McNally
Run Director, Vancouver
Beth is our team’s namesake, Beth’s Busty Babes, and our survivor. She completed treatment just a couple weeks ago.
Our hard working team won 1st place for the Friends and Family award in Niagara!
It meant a great deal for all of her friends and family team to be with Beth, supporting this worthy cause. Lifting her up, hopefully giving her strength to endure.
Thank you for holding this wonderful, touching event..
Sincerly, Colleen Bandy
