Saufia has taken an active role in taking steps toward reducing her breast cancer risk.

Nearly 14 years ago, my family and I lost my mom to breast cancer, and a little over two years ago, I watched my first cousin succumb to the same fate as my mom. Breast cancer is an insatiable disease and has no respect for the families it intrudes upon or any boundaries, affecting women of all ages: daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, grand-daughters, and girlfriends.

To honour all those who have experienced breast cancer and those in my family, along with all the beautiful survivors, I participated in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday, September 30, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia to make a difference. I took on the role of the Team Captain for “Breast Friends for the Cure” and really tried to motivate my team, as well as posted on my Facebook wall to raise more awareness for the disease that affects us as women.

When my mother passed away in November 1998, I never had a chance to grieve her loss. I had a newborn baby girl of seven weeks and a daughter not quite three years of age. I had no choice but to abandon the many emotions I was feeling —guilt, anger, remorse, fear, loss— and these feelings stayed with me for many years. My focus became raising my girls and looking after my dad and my husband as we transitioned out of New York to our new lives in Vancouver, BC.

Four years later in September 2002, my first cousin Yasmin was diagnosed with breast cancer — it really broke me as she was someone who I had looked up to growing up. I am an only child and the youngest of cousins on my dad’s and mom’s sides of the family. My cousins, aunts, uncles and I have always held a special bond. I grew up wearing Yasmin’s clothes and listening to all her words of advice involving boys, school, my future and so much more. At the time, I was a typical teenager who felt invisible. Today, I am blessed to have had love from my cousins as they have helped shaped who I am as a person.

Prior to my mom’s diagnosis, Yasmin’s sister had passed away in April 1988 from her experience with breast cancer for seven years, and left behind two young children. And the list goes on and on: my aunt (their mom) also succumbed to the same fate in 1968, some eight months before I was born. In 1982, my grandmother passed away of dementia due to the many shocks in her life, losing two of her children to cancer at such young ages. However, some months before she too had been diagnosed with breast cancer and my mother and her brothers had decided to let her pass away peacefully. I look back and truly believe this disease is insatiable and has no boundaries. Many of my mom’s first cousins have also lost their lives to breast cancer, all leaving behind families, children, siblings, parents and more.

In August 2012, I became aware of yet another one of my first cousins being diagnosed with breast cancer; she is two years my senior and we had grown up together since childhood. I was paralyzed with fear and in pain —pain of losing yet another loved one— and this time, a sibling. I am remaining positive to the best of my abilities and will do whatever it takes to break the cycle—she will be a survivor of breast cancer!

Since 1995, I have increasingly educated myself, my family and others about this disease that has stripped my family of aunts, mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins, grandmothers and granddaughters. Because of my family history of breast cancer, I do regular mammograms and have been tested for the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene mutations that increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. I eat well and healthy and cook similar meals for my daughters and husband, and I try to exercise and remain free of stress.

I participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure to help raise awareness and make a difference in the education and advocacy of breast cancer. I plan to continue this endeavour in the years to come.

Saufia Merally Merani, Vancouver BC

MaryAnn believes that the best part of volunteering is meeting people along the way.

“I couldn’t wait to be part of an organization with such a great reputation — the work, the people and the volunteer opportunities,” says MaryAnn Kauk, a Prairies/NWT Region volunteer. “My dear friend Anika was affected by breast cancer approximately three years ago and the way she went on about the amazing support she received, well, I just wanted to be a part of it, so I decided to join the ranks of the volunteers. I try to do as much as I can and whatever I can. The best part of volunteering is that I get to meet so many nice people. I feel like I’m doing a very small part to give back.”

Since becoming an active member of CBCF’s volunteer team, MaryAnn’s support has been invaluable! She has a positive attitude, is reliable, and a leader. It’s true when she says she wants to do as much as she can, whenever she can, because over the past few years, she has given her time and skills in various roles, including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the Safeway Campaign, Golf Tournaments, the Women’s Show and now the Committee for Batting Against Breast Cancer.

We continue to be grateful to MaryAnn for her support and especially the way she motivates others — her passion is infectious!

Jean-Alain's commitment to the breast cancer cause earned him an Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2010.

Jean-Alain Raynal is an Ontario Region volunteer who has put in countless hours to help support CBCF and the breast cancer community since he began volunteering five years ago.

Over the years Jean-Alain has been a constant in the Ontario Region office, always willing to help out with any task in any department. He first started volunteering in 2008, after he was diagnosed with cancer. While concentrating on his health – and though it wasn’t a breast cancer diagnosis he was facing – he felt the need to focus his strength on helping others affected by cancer. So when his mom encouraged him to volunteer with CBCF, he embraced the idea and started helping out in our office twice a week. His commitment to the cause and his dedication to the community earned him an Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2010.

“Volunteering has definitely helped me through my own healing process,” says Jean-Alain. “Working to help others affected by cancer is really important to me. I’m part of the team at CBCF, working to create a future without breast cancer, and whether I’m paid or not doesn’t change that.”

When his own cancer came back in 2011 Jean-Alain decided that life was too short to not do what made him most happy. Now cancer-free once again and volunteering between 25 and 30 hours each week, he remains focused on staying positive and enjoying every moment of his life.

“Helping out at CBCF has been such a great experience for me,” says Jean-Alain. “It has taught me commitment, discipline and dedication. You learn a lot knowing that you’re making such an impact because you want to, not because you have to. Knowing the difference I’m helping to make in the breast cancer community is the greatest reward I could ask for.”

In between the hours he puts in at our office, Jean-Alain nurtures his creative side through art and writing. He’s even donated some of his artwork to spruce up the Ontario Region reception area.

In honour of her mother, Emily has been volunteering for the CIBC Run for the Cure for more than a decade.

Emily Jones has been a committed volunteer for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure in Halifax, N.S. for the past 11 years. She volunteers in honour of her mother, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor.

In 2012, Emily decided she wanted to volunteer her time to raise funds. Not only did she surpass her fundraising goals, but she also rallied the support of her coworkers and is now a team captain for the 2013 CIBC Run for the Cure.

Throughout Emily’s fundraising, it became clear to her how many of her fellow employees have loved ones who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. As an acknowledgement to all of those who have supported her in her fundraising efforts, she wore the names of their loved ones on her shirt on Run day. Emily had 34 names on her shirt – a testament to the impact of this cause.

Emily’s enthusiasm and determination has inspired others to take action and join her in supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. In 2013, Emily received an award from the Halifax Regional Municipality in honour of her volunteer efforts.

Many CIBC employees volunteer as Run Champions at each of our Run sites across the country.

“I am so proud to be a small part of this event – part of the larger Team CIBC,” says Alison Phillips, CIBC Regional Run Champion, Ontario. “When I was very young my mother’s best friend died of breast cancer. Seeing the impact on her family and friends was something I will never forget. I have five children and this event has helped them understand the importance of getting involved to do something positive in the world. I would love it if they could be part of a world where breast cancer no longer exists.”

Alison’s passionate support for the cause is very typical at CIBC, title sponsor of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. CIBC’s involvement started more than 20 years ago with a handful of employees committed to this cause who rallied their company to help the Foundation achieve its vision of creating a future without breast cancer. Since then, the event has grown into an important part of the fabric of CIBC. Today, one in three employees either participates or volunteers for the CIBC Run for the Cure.

CIBC employees, like Alison, volunteer as Run Champions at each of the 67 Run sites across the country to provide leadership and engage their fellow employees, to ensure that all pre-Run activities and Run Day activities go smoothly, encourage participation and above all, drive fundraising.

The Foundation relies on organizations of every size to further engage employees to build teams, set fundraising goals and volunteer. CIBC employees are the gold standard and a model for other organizations looking to encourage participation in the event.

In 2012, more than 13,000 CIBC employees, family members and volunteers helped Team CIBC raise over $3 million through the collection of pledges, fundraising and contributions from the CIBC Pink Collection™.

We continue to be grateful to CIBC and the pioneering employees who have helped our Foundation build the largest single day breast cancer event in Canada. Last year alone more than $30 million was raised to fund our vision of creating a future without breast cancer.

Join us on October 6, 2013 for this year’s event, and if you happen to see members of Team CIBC in their claret shirts, take a moment to say ‘Thank You’ for their passionate support of this cause year after year!

Wally has been a dedicated volunteer at CBCF for nearly 20 years.

Walter Gunn, better known as Wally, joined us almost 20 years ago as a volunteer, and now he wouldn’t even think about doing anything else. His skills and experiences have come to be most appreciated, and he has truly become one of us. Some say volunteering is good for your health, and in Wally’s case, it really does make him feel good to help others.

“The office is an extended part of our family, and I am extremely proud of that fact!” says Wally. And why does he wear pink? “It’s for breast cancer, it’s for hope, and I wear it proudly!”

In those 20 years, the volunteer program has blossomed and aligned itself within the structure of the organization. Today, CBCF has a strong supporting cast of volunteers who help make it all happen.

Tracy with her husband Michael, son Alex and daughter Natasza just before the 2012 CIBC Run for the Cure.

In 2006 I decided to train for my first half-marathon to mark the occasion of my 40th birthday. I ended up with shin splints that led to stress fractures and I had to stop running. A couple of months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Turning 40 was not working out so well for me. Even after my second chemo treatment I was able to do the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure with the support of about 30 of my colleagues. I was not able to run the entire way but I made sure to run across the finish line! It was an amazing experience to be a part of it.

Tracy with her daughter Natasza before the 2011 CIBC Run for the Cure.

The next couple of years included chemo, bilateral mastectomy, radiation, hysterectomy and breast reconstruction surgery and everything that goes along with all of that. It was a bit of a bump in the road to say the least.

In 2011 I started running again. I signed up to do the CIBC Run for the Cure in Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2011. It was the first time I was able to do it in a few years and I was more than ready. I was really excited to be doing this run with my daughter, Natasza, by my side (she was 13 at the time). Since many participants wear crazy pink outfits, I did a bit of shopping for us. We ended up with pink and gray tuques with long ears, our run t-shirts, and pink short shorts over running shorts with knee-high pink socks. Natasza was a little concerned and kept asking me, “Are you SURE that there will be other people dressed like this?” Since I had done the run back in 2006 when I was in treatment, I knew what to expect.

The day of the race was quite chilly but we still went in our shorts. There were nearly 10,000 people at the run and the atmosphere was so exciting! Natasza seemed really happy to be a part of it. I was a bit concerned about keeping up with her. She is a competitive hockey player and a great athlete. We ran side by side talking and laughing the entire way. At about 1 km before the end she said to me with a grin, “Wanna pick it up a bit?” I think we sprinted the rest of the way! When we neared the finish line both sides of the road were lined with supporters cheering and clapping and encouraging the runners! I looked at my beautiful, young, healthy daughter and she grabbed my hand and we lifted our arms to the sky and ran across the finish line together. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life. I hoped with all my heart that she would never, ever have to go through what I did.

In 2012 we did the run again. This time my 17-year-old son Alex joined us as did my husband Michael. He was by my side the entire way just as he has been throughout this cancer journey. The kids were waiting for us when we finished and seeing their healthy, young and beautiful faces was another emotional moment for me as I was reminded yet again how truly blessed I am.

See you at the next CIBC Run for the Cure! I plan to be there!

Visit Tracy’s blog at http://itsnotforeveritsjustfornow.blogspot.ca

For her Cook for the Cure party, Gayle and her friends hosted a bra decorating contest using themes that inspired them.

Someone asked me once if I had any sisters. Sadly no, I answered. But that is not quite true, for I have many, many sisters. These sisters are part of my Christian family at St. James Anglican Church (SJAC) in Fenelon Falls.

When I first read about the “Cook for the Cure” the ladies of SJAC had formed a group called “Food for Thought.”  We met on a regular basis to share potluck, fellowship, and to discuss upcoming events in our church. It happened to be my turn to host our get-together and I thought the Cook for the Cure would be a great theme. We all liked to cook, and especially sample each other’s recipes, and we were all on board for donating to breast cancer. It was a great success.  So as part of our outreach we made the Cook for Cure party an annual event. That all began in October 2005. To date we have raised over $2,500 for breast cancer.

Our Cook for the Cure parties are all about fellowship and supporting one another. We have enjoyed speakers over the years: some of them breast cancer survivors, a representative from the Look Good, Feel Better Program, and women who have spoken about natural and healthy alternatives.

This year the theme was Celebrate (simply that we are women) Decorate (decorate a bra) and Donate (to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation). The “Decorate a Bra Contest” was a huge success. The ladies were asked to decorate a bra using a theme that was important to them, such as a special holiday, a favourite song, etc. We did not share ideas or discuss our bras. Bras were given a number and hung about the house so when the ladies arrived for lunch they could get a good look at them and vote for their favourite by number.

Out of the 15 entries, Arlene won first prize. She dedicated her bra to her mother’s life: a cancer survivor, a long-standing member of SJAC, a teacher, a seamstress, a gardener and so much more. The many different aspects of her life were depicted on Arlene’s bra. Even the colour had been her mother’s favourite.

Appropriate for this time of year, Lucy’s Halloween entry won second prize.

Ida, who left her entry to the last minute, and needed some encouragement to get started, won third. The highlight was two small breast cancer teddy bears sewn in each cup. We called this entry Bear Breasts.

One of our ladies had just returned from a holiday in England and decorated her bra with Union Jack material. She called it “British Bobbies.”  Another was decorated after the song Buttons and Bows. There were bras decorated with feathers, beads, angel wings, even tiny mice. Each entry had its own style and flair.

Lunch Menu:

Appetizer-size Pork Souvlaki (my husband barbecued a half hour before the ladies arrived and he disappeared)(15 minutes on the grill)

Spanakopita (25 minutes in the oven)

Greek Salad

Fruit Salad

Cheese plate and antipasto, crackers

Sweet & Sour Meatballs (prepared in advance and frozen)

Tiny Croissants

Assorted tarts for dessert (prepared ahead)

Wine, juice, coffee, tea

Note: This year was one of the first we did not have potluck. I was fortunate to find a lady who has souvlaki and spanakopita already prepared, marinated, frozen and delicious. The Greek salad I made in the morning. The fruit salad was just cut up fruit bought at the grocery store and put in a bowl. I looked for recipes that could be prepared in advance and frozen such as the S&S meatballs and the antipasto. I also had a friend come over about two hours before lunch and help me. Things always go better with a friend.

Gayle

Christine says that although breast cancer is now a part of who she is, it does not define her.

My name is Christine Vanderheiden and I have breast cancer. It has taken me a long time to be able to say this, identify with this and, finally, share this. It’s one of those things you just never thought would happen to you … but it did. I was diagnosed in April 2012 and have had a successful lumpectomy and eight rounds of chemotherapy. I began my radiation in October and am feeling great knowing that I am fighting this with everything I have. Breast cancer is now part of who I am, although it does not define me. This is what defines me …

I am a mother. I have two extraordinary children, Evan and Emma Jane. They are my inspiration for everything. People often ask me how I keep it all together during everything that I’ve been through and I say:”You’d do the same thing.” Being a mother reminds us every day of how strong we are. My kids have been amazing since we told them about my “Boobie Bump” and the “special medicine” that I would have to take. They have been sensitive to my “down days” and encouraging when they see I’m sad about having no hair. We’ve grown stronger as a family unit and I thank breast cancer for helping me mould brave, thoughtful, empathetic, tenacious, warm, caring children.

I am a wife. My husband Jeff is simply the most amazing man I have ever met and I was lucky enough to have married him. He sees me; not my cancer, not my faults, not my weaknesses. He sees who I am, my soul, and reminds me every day what I am capable of. When the chemo has clouded my vision and my resolve, he swoops in and reignites the spark that helps me to pick myself up again. I thank breast cancer for reminding him what a great father and husband he is, and for making our marriage even stronger.

I am a daughter and a sister. Who I have ultimately become is a direct result of where I came from and the relationships that I have with my parents and my sister. I grew up understanding the importance of courage, character, empathy, and perseverance. Work hard and be nice to people: these two major life lessons were instilled in me and have gotten me to this point in my life. I thank breast cancer for allowing me to look back and appreciate my roots and these life lessons that have helped me face adversity with the right perspective.

I am a survivor. Although breast cancer does not define who I am it has certainly allowed me the opportunity to look at my life at this moment and be thankful for everything.  Yes, everything. I am 38 years old and feel that my life, up to this point, has prepared me to face breast cancer and conquer it. Tomorrow I will look back and know that it is this challenge which has further prepared me for the next, and the next. Thank you breast cancer for doing that.

Although I continue to find the blessings in these moments of difficulty I also acknowledge that cancer, of any kind, is not the adversity I want my children to face. I want my children to grow up in a world without cancer so their lives can be shaped by other challenges that don’t make them sick and need “special medicine.” I do not want my daughter to have to fight breast cancer when she is 38. That is why I will walk today. I will walk to raise money to continue the strides that have been made against breast cancer. I will walk in hope that one day cancer, specifically breast cancer, is forever cured.

Hannah was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, but that hasn't stopped her from walking.

This is my niece. My beautiful little niece. Actually she’s no relation to me, but her mom and I have been best friends for 30 years now. Which is impressive since I am only 35 years old.

Feb. 16, 2012 will always be a day I will remember. It was the day my life, my family’s life, all changed. During a routine exam my family doctor found a lump in my right breast, and under my arm. My heart sank and the tears came two weeks later when it was confirmed: stage 4, grade 3. Highly aggressive were the only words I understood. Elevator music started playing in my head. All I could think about were my kids. My teenage headaches waiting for me to get home, and this little girl. My surrogate sister watched and helped raise my children, and I was wondering if I would get the chance to return the favour.

My husband has been by my side the entire time. He has held my hand, wiped my tears, been the sounding board as I screamed in anger, but he never wavered or gave up. He has been my rock, and my reason to keep going. Without him or my kids, I never would have made it through surgery, chemotherapy, unlimited side effects, or the hate I have raging through me right now. Whether it’s hate or self pity, I am not sure yet. Still not done. Radiation is happening now, and more surgeries to come.

So we walk. We walk for me. We walk for them. We walk so my kids will have their mom, my niece will have someone to teach her all the fun things, my best friend will still have her giggle mate, and my husband will have his other half. I am walking for my answer to that all important question: why me?

When I figure that out, I am sure to shout from the rooftops. Until that moment, we walk…

Hannah McEdwards