Cause

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers, whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.

The Canadian Cancer Society achieves its mission through research, education, patient services and advocacy for healthy public policy. These efforts are supported by volunteers, staff and funds raised in communities across Canada.

Money raised by the Waterloo Region unit helps fund Canadian Cancer Society services available to any Region of Waterloo resident and also funds some of the best and most promising research in Canada which potentially benefits cancer patients everywhere.

Stacy Frey was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 2. Eighteen years later, Stacy is a healthy and active young woman with dreams of becoming a paramedic and traveling to less fortunate countries to work as a medical responder. Recently, she accepted an offer from Wellseley Township to be a volunteer fire fighter for the St. Clements Fire Department.

Three time cancer survivor, Susan, credits early detection and diagnosis for her excellent prognosis. In July 2007, on her second day back to work after maternity leave, Susan found a lump on her breast. Surgery, radiation and medication followed and throughout her entire treatment, this mother of 2 young daughters continued working. In March 2009, during a routine breast exam "something didn't feel right". Micro-calcifications were discovered and on June 1, 2009, Susan underwent a mastectomy and the initial steps to begin reconstruction. A brand new cancer had occurred in the exact spot of her first, which is very unusual. In January 2011, just 5 short months after completing treatment for her second battle with breast cancer, Susan had a suspicious mole removed which turned out to be malignant melanoma and required a 6 cm square tissue resection on the front of her shin. Again, early detection and treatment has provided a great outlook for this survivor.

Tania's cancer journey started long ago with years of abnormal pap tests and symptoms that took far too long to be diagnosed as cervical cancer. Finally, after diagnosis and surgery to remove affected lymph nodes, Tania spent July to October of 2008 in radiation, chemotherapy and brachytherapy. It was a challenging summer, as Tania was perpetually ill and exhausted and missed out on much time with her husband and three children. She credits her amazing family and friends, excellent insurance, and the education and means to be able to focus on getting well for her return to health. Tania shares the story of her first chemo treatment, which happened to be on her birthday and had her feeling down. “A gentleman in a yellow smock approached me with a brightly coloured blanket, cookies and juice – a small gesture with a huge impact. I have since passed that blanket on to a friend with cancer and I continue to volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society.”

While undergoing a cesarean section for the delivery of her third son, Wendy, then aged 28, was told that the doctors had discovered ovarian cancer. With the incredible support of her family and friends, Wendy was given the strength to move forward and get well. After nine years of good health, a tumor was found on her remaining ovary. This time Wendy feared she would miss milestones in her children's lives, graduations, weddings, and grandchildren, and again that she would be forced to leave her best friend, her husband Tim. Nineteen years later, Wendy is thrilled to be helping plan her second son's wedding and gives back to the Canadian Cancer Society through Cancer Connections, Relay For Life, and the Pamper Me Senseless Gala.

When diagnosed with breast cancer, Cathy relied heavily on her strong faith and her family and friends to help carry her through the unexpected challenges treatment presented; from extreme fatigue to the drastic physical changes her body endured. Throughout her treatment, Cathy's grandchildren eagerly awaited the return of her hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows so that they could once again come for sleepovers. Grateful for her treatment at Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, Cathy thanks her oncologists, nurses, technicians, staff, and volunteers for looking after not only her, but also her family.

"Hearing the words 'your son has cancer' is the scariest, saddest, most shocking thing a parent can ever hear" says Janet Snider. August 26, 2009 was the day that the Snider family learned Jon-Marc had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and that their happy-go-lucky lifestyle would be changing to one of fierce survival. After more than two and a half years of treatment, Jon-Marc was declared cancer-free in November of 2011, but his fight didn't end there; this incredible little super hero now struggles with arthritis and osteoporosis. The family now focuses on healing and moving forward in faith - closer knit than they have ever been, and never taking life for granted!

At age 9, Jordan was diagnosed with a brain tumor. For seven years, Jordan's mother had been voicing her concerns to their family physician regarding Jordan's health with no result; she was labeled an over-protective mom. When the family switched physicians, her concerns were finally heard and a CAT scan was ordered. It was at this time that the tumor was discovered. One 8-hour surgery later, Jordan was tumor-free and did not require chemotherapy or radiation, just routine follow-up. After three years tumor free, Jordan was informed at a check-up that his tumor had returned and that it was malignant. Missing a year and a half of school, Jordan endured numerous treatments, and relied heavily on his mother - his primary caregiver. Today Jordan is in remission! Jordan aspires to be a child-life counselor when he grows up with hopes that he will be able to help other children and to continue to share his remarkable story.

On July 21, 2010, the lives of the Formiglio family were forever changed: It was on that day, during routine testing for a cystic fibrosis study, that two-year-old Mateo was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Between struggling to cope with treatments, blood transfusions, lumbar punctures and all of the other obstacles that the family was facing, they found comfort in the support of the Canadian Cancer Society both emotionally and financially. Wanting to give back to the organization that had provided them with so much, the Formiglio's created a team at the Relay For Life event in Cambridge and raised over $18,000 in three short weeks. Mateo's final treatment is scheduled for August 2012 and the Formiglio's are hopeful that brave Mateo's battle will be won.