Cancer does not discriminate by age or gender. It does not care about your life plan. Cancer is a journey that can happen to anyone, anywhere.
And it is one of the hardest journeys a person can travel.
Seeing a family live through a cancer diagnosis is incredibly painful. For some, treatment is short and quickly effective. Others endure what seems like endless rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
If you have ever had a loved one or friend go through cancer like Tara, the woman whose story I will share with you in this letter, you probably know exactly what I mean. You know the emotional and physical struggles.
But you also know about the good days. The days where there is a hunger to fight against this horrible disease. The days where your loved one says no to cancer.
Whatever a person’s journey, CancerCare Manitoba is here to offer hope to patients and families who are living with cancer. And with you by our side no one has to be alone in their fight.
As a loyal supporter I hope I can count on you today. Your gift will go so far in supporting cancer patients and their families. Your generosity will give our CancerCare team the tools to research, detect and treat different types of cancer – better and faster.
Your gift today will help patients like Tara. When you read Tara’s story, I think you’ll agree that as a cancer survivor she is an inspiration to us all.
At the young age of 42, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma – also known as breast cancer. My children were 10 and 12 at the time. All they knew about cancer was Terry Fox. My youngest child thought he was going to lose me.
From everything I had researched, there was no doubt that CancerCare Manitoba was the best place I could be. When doctors found the cancer, it was already moving into my lymph nodes. It was clear that I had no choice but to undergo a complete mastectomy, in addition to radiation and chemotherapy, in order to have a fighting chance. But from day one I felt like I was in great hands. I had the support and hope I needed to get through this tremendously difficult time of my life.
Hope comes in many forms. Tara is proof of the importance behind our programs, research and treatment. And the importance of support from people like you, because you help give hope.
The level of care I received at CancerCare Manitoba was exceptional. They offered support groups, psychosocial counseling, eat well, get fit and live well programs and even yoga and pilates. Everything I needed to bring me back to what mattered right that very moment and what I needed to do to stay strong.
I felt comfort within the walls of CancerCare Manitoba. The doctors and nurses were always very helpful and answered all of my questions. I began to feel like more than just a patient. I became a part of a family.
Even in the darkest of days, I can say that having cancer at the young age of 42 allowed me to change my life and truly realize what is important. Now it is my turn to give back, in any way I can. To give other people strength and hope who are living through cancer. To tell them that there is still life after cancer. And that you can keep going.
The life-saving treatment Tara received at CancerCare Manitoba gave her sons more time with their mother. This is the greatest gift she could have hoped for.
By making a donation today you can make a difference for more patients and their families who are on their cancer journey. Please make the most generous donation you can to provide those diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones the hope they need so desperately. Hope for many more tender and happy moments to celebrate, together as a family.
Thank you for your support of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.
Sincerely,
Annitta Stenning
President and CEO
CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
