Help Nicole raise money

Hi there, I am running a 5k this October as part of the Gilda's Toronto community to raise funds for the incredible programs, support and life changing work they do for people living with cancer and those who are caring for those with cancer!

On October 1st, 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had no idea that a breast cancer diagnosis was going to be the outcome, but it quickly became a reality and life changed from there. I had to have surgery to remove the tumour in November 2024 where a wonderful team performed a lumpectomy. In December I met with the oncologist for a follow-up and discussed treatment options and I was relieved to have had radiation scheduled. The thought of chemotherapy really scared me. I started radiation at Princess Margaret at the end of January 2025 for a month. They were an incredible team at Princess Margaret, from the radiation oncologist to the radiation technicians - I was in very good, kind, gentle and caring hands! I am so grateful and will always be indebted to the incredible people in my life who were there for me - offered to help, got me out on walks and just out of the house, listened to me and talked me through it all, made food and were the support network I needed and appreciated very much so thank you to all of you! It has been a whirlwind of a year, but I am feeling really good and hopeful, continuing my animal rights work and volunteering with the pups at the shelter, being as best a guardian I can be for Bud and Mynx and doing my best to live life the way I always have with curiosity, adventure, love, smiles and laughter as much as possible (humour really got me through this journey so far) and of course my fair share of tears as it has been challenging, terrifying thinking about death and life simply being forever altered. It has moved me to not take things so seriously because this has been a second reminder in my life that life is so fragile, it is precious and no job, no task or anything is worth compromising your health and well being or your happiness and joy. 

Gilda's has quite literally been a rock for me throughout this past year. I learned about it through a vegan nutritionist a couple of years back and thought, what a wonderful organization serving those in need, never thinking I would be that person in need. I reached out to them shortly after my diagnosis to ask about their support and programs and became registered as a member after a few intake calls and paperwork - the process was very smooth and simple! I spent 8 weeks in an enriching and meaningful support group for young women, doing yoga on Wednesdays and zumba on Thursday nights, took part in a 6 week writing workshop group, and watched plant-based nutrition demonstrations! I continue to take part in Gilda's various programming and cannot speak highly enough to the quality of the programs and of course the beautiful humans who lead, guide and support us along the way! Gilda's has been instrumental in this journey and I know it will be for years to come! 

I hope that you will join me in supporting the work they do! You are actively making a difference in someone's life that has been deeply impacted by a cancer diagnosis. I am and will always be grateful for those who have supported Gilda's and who make this life-saving work possible!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

With love and gratitude,

Nicole