Meet your Cancer Coverage in Canada Team (left to right)
- Rachele - I live in Burnaby BC and I am a contributor for Cancer Coverage in Canada. Years ago my sisters’ dear friend battled MBC. I proudly walked along with her friend to fundraise for cancer, and then I sadly walked for her. I walked countless miles and raised thousands of dollars thinking that access to MBC treatments would change through these efforts. All these years later, and so little has changed. I have known Karen since we could count how old we were on our two hands and I am devastated that Karen, and others like her, now have to battle not only MBC but our bureaucracy for treatment as well. I proudly add my voice to help affect change for all of the men and women that are Chasing Hope with MBC. I am done walking. I am ready to stand firmly arm in arm to fight for the changes that those affected by MBC need now. #stageivneedsmore #changemakers
- Karen – I live in Langley BC, and I have Metastatic Breast Cancer. My Cancer battle started in December 2005 with a diagnosis of Breast Cancer – which led to bi-lateral mastectomies; and treatments of IV chemo therapies and radiation for 8 months. My Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer diagnosis came in November 2015. Cancer is part of me, but in no way does it define me. When given a “last treatment option” by my oncologist this Christmas (2017), the price tag of $8,000 a month, literally made that pill too hard to swallow. My family and community however, reached out in support, both fiscally and emotionally, and enabled me to begin IBRANCE by Pfizer. But it became abundantly clear to me, that affordable accessibility to life prolonging/saving drugs, was something worth taking a stand on. I wont let other women and men with MBC stand alone! #stageIVneeds more#chasinghopeMBC #cancercoverageincanada
- Ashley – I live in Maple Ridge BC, but maintain dual citizenship in the USA. I was originally diagnosed in 2012 with stage I DCIS breast cancer and deemed cancer free after treatment. In August of 2016 routine blood work caught a recurrence that had metastasized to my liver resulting in a stage IV diagnosis. I immediately began treatment in Seattle that would last for a year, relying heavily on both traditional and naturopathic methods, in an effort to beat back the cancer. With 3 tumors still remaining, in May of 2017 I began Ibrance which resulted in these tumors shrinking by half and within six months I was deemed to be stable and in remission.
As I went to share the news with my friend, Karen, I learned her status of needing Ibrance. The same drug that was helping me, was out of reach to Karen because of a lengthy bureaucratic process in BC. I joined Karen on her campaign for drug coverage in British Columbia and soon learned just how many patients across Canada were in need of cancer treatment options that are either denied or tied up in the bureaucratic process. I believe that your country and economic status should not be a factor when it comes to access to life prolonging and life saving treatment options. I believe in choosing hope over fear and will chase hope until there is comprehensive and fair access for treatment of MBC in Canada. Until there is a cure I will be #chasinghopeMBC.
- Lisa – I am a wife and mom (to a 6 year old), and I work with tiny humans that are on the Autism Spectrum. I live in Surrey BC, and am a proud contributor for Cancer Coverage in Canada. My sister Karen and good friends Ashley and Jennifer Fontaine (MBC survivors) inspired me to take action – and give voice to women and men across Canada; that NEED more than what our current medical system can provide. I have walked and fundraised for Breast Cancer research for years! But I have come to realize that those pink ribbon campaigns fall short. I am here standing my ground because for these folks, THE PINK RIBBON HAS RUN OUT! #stageIVneedsmore #chasinghopeMBC
AND Trevor Howes, our Social Media Supporter, Logo Designer and friend of Cancer Coverage in Canada #chasinghopeMBC #eastcoastsupport #changemaker
- Rachele - I live in Burnaby BC and I am a contributor for Cancer Coverage in Canada. Years ago my sisters’ dear friend battled MBC. I proudly walked along with her friend to fundraise for cancer, and then I sadly walked for her. I walked countless miles and raised thousands of dollars thinking that access to MBC treatments would change through these efforts. All these years later, and so little has changed. I have known Karen since we could count how old we were on our two hands and I am devastated that Karen, and others like her, now have to battle not only MBC but our bureaucracy for treatment as well. I proudly add my voice to help affect change for all of the men and women that are Chasing Hope with MBC. I am done walking. I am ready to stand firmly arm in arm to fight for the changes that those affected by MBC need now. #stageivneedsmore #changemakers
- Karen – I live in Langley BC, and I have Metastatic Breast Cancer. My Cancer battle started in December 2005 with a diagnosis of Breast Cancer – which led to bi-lateral mastectomies; and treatments of IV chemo therapies and radiation for 8 months. My Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer diagnosis came in November 2015. Cancer is part of me, but in no way does it define me. When given a “last treatment option” by my oncologist this Christmas (2017), the price tag of $8,000 a month, literally made that pill too hard to swallow. My family and community however, reached out in support, both fiscally and emotionally, and enabled me to begin IBRANCE by Pfizer. But it became abundantly clear to me, that affordable accessibility to life prolonging/saving drugs, was something worth taking a stand on. I wont let other women and men with MBC stand alone! #stageIVneeds more#chasinghopeMBC #cancercoverageincanada
- Ashley – I live in Maple Ridge BC, but maintain dual citizenship in the USA. I was originally diagnosed in 2012 with stage I DCIS breast cancer and deemed cancer free after treatment. In August of 2016 routine blood work caught a recurrence that had metastasized to my liver resulting in a stage IV diagnosis. I immediately began treatment in Seattle that would last for a year, relying heavily on both traditional and naturopathic methods, in an effort to beat back the cancer. With 3 tumors still remaining, in May of 2017 I began Ibrance which resulted in these tumors shrinking by half and within six months I was deemed to be stable and in remission.
As I went to share the news with my friend, Karen, I learned her status of needing Ibrance. The same drug that was helping me, was out of reach to Karen because of a lengthy bureaucratic process in BC. I joined Karen on her campaign for drug coverage in British Columbia and soon learned just how many patients across Canada were in need of cancer treatment options that are either denied or tied up in the bureaucratic process. I believe that your country and economic status should not be a factor when it comes to access to life prolonging and life saving treatment options. I believe in choosing hope over fear and will chase hope until there is comprehensive and fair access for treatment of MBC in Canada. Until there is a cure I will be #chasinghopeMBC.
- Lisa – I am a wife and mom (to a 6 year old), and I work with tiny humans that are on the Autism Spectrum. I live in Surrey BC, and am a proud contributor for Cancer Coverage in Canada. My sister Karen and good friends Ashley and Jennifer Fontaine (MBC survivors) inspired me to take action – and give voice to women and men across Canada; that NEED more than what our current medical system can provide. I have walked and fundraised for Breast Cancer research for years! But I have come to realize that those pink ribbon campaigns fall short. I am here standing my ground because for these folks, THE PINK RIBBON HAS RUN OUT! #stageIVneedsmore #chasinghopeMBC
AND Trevor Howes, our Social Media Supporter, Logo Designer and friend of Cancer Coverage in Canada #chasinghopeMBC #eastcoastsupport #changemaker