Pink Ribbon Project 5

This June we will host our 5th Pink Ribbon Project. To prepare for the event, we decided as a team to take 5 and reflect on that; what we’ve learned and what we’ve experienced through PRP.

I sure have learned a lot over these past 5 years. When I think about the big things, the things that stand out the most, I think most importantly, I've learned to appreciate having regular, everyday problems. Having these problems doesn't seem so bad when you take the time to notice others with real, life threatening problems.

Photo: Em Rose Photography

I started my journey with the Pink Ribbon Project after my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I felt like I needed to do something positive, at a time in my life when I felt helpless. It is a crazy thing when a real problem shows up in your life. Suddenly all your other problems seem so small. I became aware of many other people going through their own experience with cancer. It was almost like I entered into a new level of awareness because all these people had been fighting for their lives all around me and I had no idea. It opened my eyes to how sometimes, we all get so caught up with insignificant problems that we don't know or we forget about what real problems in life are.

Now, that’s not to minimize problems that are less serious than a cancer diagnosis, I get that we all go through stuff everyday, I do too. Sometimes that stuff is annoying, frustrating, sad, even heartbreaking and some of those things can be life changing too, or at least at the time we might view them that way. I just know that a cancer diagnosis is something that rocks people to their very core and not just the patient, the family and the friends too. It’s life changing, for better or for worse. It’s a serious problem, one so serious that our everyday worries, struggles and frustrations fade away and our biggest fears come sharply into focus. Over time that fear will give way to many other emotions and responses depending on the person. For me that fear gave way and allowed many other things to come through, eventually leading me to the need to take action in a time of great uncertainty for my family. Getting involved with the Pink Ribbon Project which later grew into a whole organization, the Full Circle Foundation has been a great experience with so many wonderful people. It has taught me to weigh the importance of everyday problems compared to serious ones and to give my time to support those who are facing a gravely serious situation; a breast cancer diagnosis.

photo: Em Rose Photography

While giving my time and resources to PRP has positively impacted me and many others, like anything it has its challenges. I’ve learned first hand that raising money for a cause is not a simple task but it is one of the most important parts of the what we do through the Full Circle Foundation. Without support from our community we would not be able to raise significant amounts of money, that in turn goes to charities who are making the most impact in breast cancer. When you ask friends and family for donations year after year you start to feel like sometimes people would like to avoid the topic. I completely understand and yes we know it’s asking a lot! I have been the one who has tried to avoid giving away my money when it seems nearly impossible to get ahead. These days it seems that everyone is struggling with the way our economy is in Southern Alberta but most of us forget while we are struggling with our own problems, the people around us that have a different kind of struggle going on. People who don't know how much time they have left. I'm not including this to sound negative or to bring any guilt to the situation. I just want to acknowledge it to say, we see and completely understand when it doesn't work for you. I do want to share the reason I continue to ask for support. It’s because of my awareness of the many people who are fighting this disease and because of my desire to help; and it’s the sad fact that I know there will be more. More people I know, more people you know that will be impacted by this disease. I think when we give a little time or a little money to an important cause it can pull us together and even make us feel better about our own struggles.

I think it helps to ease that burden of giving when you see what those dollars turn into when they are put into trusted hands. As an example, we are able to allocate some of the funds from PRP specifically to metastatic breast cancer research through the Canadian Cancer Society. We know that until more research is done on how to stop breast cancer from spreading (metastasizing) outside of the breast, people will continue to die from breast cancer. Your support of PRP is the kind of action that allows research like this to happen.

It’s the promise of new treatments and discoveries that keep us asking for assistance and we are so humbled by the trust instilled in us to continue to invest in the work that truly makes a difference for those living with breast cancer! The only way for us to continue to get support for PRP is if we continue to ask. It’s the people that give that are truly amazing to me, to all of us! The companies and individuals that have sponsored PRP over the past 5 years are wonderful and gracious to the core. The individuals who attend year after year offering their support, are the ones who are making it all work! We are excited to share more at this year’s PRP about what your investment looks like 5 years and over $84,000 later.

Photo: Em Rose Photography

It was time for us to take a look back, to help us find a way forward. There is much more work to be done and issues that are so complex they will make your head spin. But I’m proud to be part of a team that isn't afraid to dig into the issues and keep pushing forward to help as many people as we can. We hope you will be part of this 5th and very special Pink Ribbon Project, a night full of hope and support . We have so much to show you and so much to thank you for!

~Cody Shepherd

***Pink Ribbon Project 5, in support of the Canadian Cancer Society & the Canadian Breast Cancer Network will be on June 16, 2018.  Tickets go on sale May1.   Watch our Full Circle Foundation social media for more info*** 

What More Looks Like.....

Over the past year, and particularly as we began work on PRP 4, we asked ourselves a couple of big questions. How can we do more for the breast cancer community? What would “more” look like to those facing a breast cancer diagnosis or those who are living with metastatic breast cancer. We knew we needed answers to help us move forward, but those answers did not lie with any of us. The answers lie with those who have lived through breast cancer and those who are living with it today. And so we asked, listened, and learned ways that we could begin to do more.

One of the most clarifying answers to our wonderings came to us by way of a blog post written by Beth Caldwell, an American woman living with and advocating for metastatic breast cancer who explains that “it’s not about being part of the community that needs help, but about standing with them and using our privilege to help them.” Our privilege of being healthy or of surviving cancer. And that “an ally is someone who not just cares about a community in need, but also does something to support them. And what that something is, is what the community says it needs, not what allies think that community needs.” As we moved through planning PRP, these words shaped our thoughts and even some of our words that night. Guidance like that, coupled with talking to patients, researching, and participating in other advocacy efforts have helped us move towards becoming a strong ally for those facing breast cancer.

Photo credit : Em Rose Photography

For more PRP Photos please see Emily's Blog or the full gallery 

One of the biggest ways we can use our privilege of health is by hosting Pink Ribbon Project. It takes a team to do it and we all give of our time, energy, and experience to make it happen. Our team is mindful and deliberate in the messages that we share regarding breast cancer. Our focus remains on honouring all breast cancer experiences, as they are all unique and important; while still sharing the entire breast cancer story. That story includes metastatic breast cancer. Only when we share the whole story, all the possibilities and realities, are we truly honouring all and educating in a way that may serve others. Only when we include all experiences, can we find ways to support people, regardless of the type, stage, and prognosis of the disease.

For us, this concept of “more” is not an end, a measurable to be reached, a check box to be ticked. It’s just the beginning. We see now that “more” will evolve with our experiences with loved ones living with breast cancer and our interactions with the community. It will change in response to levels of funding for metastatic research, access to treatments, and the ever changing landscape in cancer research.

While we don’t know exactly what “more” will look like in terms of our work, we are extremely fortunate to know exactly what “more” looks like when we ask it of our community.

“More” looks like partners and sponsors who have supported us again and again, even through the uncertain times in our economy. It looks like friends who travel to be here and friends who stay late, like really late to visit with us once the work is wrapped up! It looks like the familiar faces who grace PRP every year and bring with them friends who have never been. It looks like vendors who bring our vision to life, giving of their time and talents knowing the budget is tight. “More” looks like hugs, handshakes, circles of friends, and a balance of tears and smiles.

“More” is when things changed suddenly before PRP and we had to say……. we have an important story we want to share with you, but we can’t tell it in the way we intended to. You listened anyway. “More” sounds like being able to hear a pin drop in that room as we told you. It sounds like a story that highlighted the reality and uncertainty of living with metastatic breast cancer………. “More” sounds like you telling us that you were glad we told you the story anyway,  that you understood and you cared. It sounds like us telling the whole story about breast cancer, even though it isn’t easy to hear.

Maybe most importantly of all, we know what “more” feels like. For those of us in the thick of it: patients, former patients, loved ones, caregivers; we get to know what “more” feels like because you keep bringing it to us every year! To me, it feels like joy, sadness, and hope intertwined. It feels like strength and support. Even though I know that we are never alone in this, for that one night I get to see "more" come together all at once and even more importantly than that, I  know that my Mom gets to experience it too! 

 

PRP 4 was truly an incredible evening and we are proud to share that this year we were able to raise $22,000 to be shared between the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Breast Cancer Network! The work of both these organizations is vital to those facing breast cancer. We are proud to support their efforts in our province and across the country.

As we close the door on our fourth installment of PRP, we are proud of the work we accomplished, but we won't rest for long. There is much more to be done. We are already dreaming up ways to bring a most special and unique 5th anniversary of PRP to life. In the meantime, we will continue our advocacy work, while continuing to explore how we can best support the breast cancer community, knowing that our “more” may change again and again over time.

To our sponsors and guests; you continue to bring “more” to PRP year after year, and we are proud to be part of a community that stands beside those who need an ally! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

~ Carmen Powell
On behalf of the Full Circle Foundation & PRP committee

Two Words....

Breast Cancer......... two words that nobody ever wants to hear! Unfortunately,  I had to hear them when I was diagnosed five years ago. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone since then. While the years have flown by, I have lived with a little bit of fear every day since my treatment ended, wondering if I would ever have to face breast cancer again......

I found a large lump in my left breast on November 17, 2011. I wanted to ignore it, thinking I had maybe pulled a muscle or something. I kept it to myself for a couple of days and my husband and I headed to our home in BC that we were in the middle of constructing. I kept feeling it, every 15 minutes to see if it was still there, and it was. I was hoping it would feel smaller or disappear. Two days later I finally told my husband what I had found. We packed up and came home and I booked an appointment with the Doctor. The appointment for my biopsy came shortly after, and I waited, and waited for results to come back. While at work I was finding it hard to focus. I would go to one of my closest colleagues at work every day and ask her to feel the lump to see if she could feel a difference in the size. We went through that Christmas with a dark cloud over our heads. We left for BC with the family for the Christmas holidays. l knew in my heart what I was going to hear, but still held onto the hope of good results because “No News Is Good News," right?!

On December 29th, 2011, I finally received a call from the Doctor to tell me that I had breast cancer. My heart sank, and it seemed like all my blood was leaving my body. My husband and my daughter were standing beside me and embracing me as I hung up the phone.

There were tears of helplessness. All the while, my little 7 year old granddaughter was sitting on the sofa watching and not saying a word. I looked over at her and motioned for her to come to me. She sat on my lap and I said “honey, Grandma just found out that I am sick, and we are all just a little scared right now” She said, "I know Grandma, I get scared too when I get sick”. We all started to giggle with tears in our eyes. It is funny what sticks out in your mind, when you look back on it.

 In those early days, before treatment started I watched my daughter, my husband, and my son closely. I could see that they were absolutely crushed by the news. I decided I had to be strong! I was willing to do whatever it took to get me through this, keep the fear away and protect my family.

I was going to fight, and I was going to live! I had a lumpectomy in January 2012, and then started 4 rounds of chemotherapy, and shortly after that I attended three weeks of radiation. The support flowed in from everywhere. I had boxes of food delivered at my door from my co-workers. Our dear friends offered me an apartment in downtown Calgary as I went through my radiation treatment. Cards and flowers were coming from people I hardly knew. Friends were showing up at my door to check up on me. I was overwhelmed. It taught me that giving support to someone that is struggling is so important.

I found another kind of support to be very powerful. I think it helps so much to talk to someone else who has gone, or is going through the same struggles as you. At the time of my diagnosis, I heard of an acquaintance who was diagnosed the day before I was. I called her and asked her to return my call if she was willing to talk. We talked constantly and helped each other through every day. From the initial hair loss to the feelings of anxiety and lack of energy. It made everything so much more bearable for both of us. Experiencing this type of support motivated me to offer the same to others and since then I have remained dedicated to helping others deal with their fear.

Then there was my family!! What an amazing, loving family I have. All my strength was drawn from their love and for my love for all of them. They were with me every step of the way. Every time I opened my eyes after hours of sleeping on the sofa, I would look over and see my husband’s face which could not hide all the worry and anxiety he was experiencing. I would smile at him and he would smile back. The first question was always, "How are you feeling?" At that time I think he was feeling worse than I was! That was the worst part, watching my family.

I received so many different types of support, and it helped me get through the difficult weeks and months of treatment. After each round of chemo, my strength would return and things would become somewhat more normal until the next round.

As with every woman, I think the thought of losing your hair is very frightening. The hair loss started a couple of days after my first chemo treatment. It would come out in handfuls when I would run my fingers through my hair, so I decided to cut it short. By the next day, I called my daughter to come and give me a shorter cut, and by the next day I asked my husband to shave it off for me. I have to say that was one of the hardest things to deal with. But once it was off, I started to feel comfortable with my new wigs. We tried to make it fun. My grandchildren would ask if they could wear my wig, so I would take it off and they would take turns running around the house and making us all laugh.

After my 4th round, I rang the bell at Foothills hospital in the chemotherapy room, everybody clapped for me, and I left with such a feeling of pride and accomplishment. I was done the first part of my journey.

For me, the radiation wasn't as hard to deal with; it was like a bad sunburn. Three weeks later that portion of my treatment was complete and I felt like my life was on a new exciting road.

 I look at things a lot differently than I did before that November 17th. I now realize what is really important in my life and in my relationships. It was painful to watch my family through out my treatment but now we never fail to say "I love you". I choose to see the positives that came out of my breast cancer.

Recently I got the news that my nephew's wife was going in for a breast biopsy, so I called her to see if we could meet and talk. I learned from my own experience that you should never underestimate how much someone may need you. She arrived at my house; shoulders pulled up, on the verge of tears. We hugged and she came in so we could sit down and talk. We spent a couple of hours together and I showed her my journal, gave her my books on breast cancer, and tried to explain some of what I experienced. I explained about what she may have to endure if she was indeed diagnosed with this disease. Knowing what that waiting can be like, I told her that I felt the actual treatment was not as bad the unknown. To me the fear was so much worse than actually living it!  I shared how I had looked at treatment; as a task that had to be done and that the right attitude would help her through those difficult days. I reminded her of the excellent care I received,  the Doctors and Nurses were so amazing and I never felt left in the dark. She left my house with a smile on her face, and I think a feeling of power and positivity. Between then and now, she has been through a mastectomy and is currently undergoing chemotherapy  . I talk with her constantly! She is doing so great, and is so very strong. I am going to be with her every step of the way!!

Events like the Pink Ribbon Project are so important for those of us who have been through this disease or who are going through it now. Funds raised for research and resources are crucial for all cancer patients! PRP offers amazing support, not only for those living with breast cancer but for their loved ones as well! I truly believe that knowledge is power and over the past few years at this event a lot of knowledge and information has been shared. Information that goes beyond the basic breast cancer stats and looks at the bigger picture. Information about what metastatic breast cancer is, including the fact that breast cancer can go on to become metastatic even decades after initial diagnosis.  So while I do live with that little bit of fear, I also get to live with knowledge and with hope and that's what I choose to focus on. That and my commitment to continue to do more for others facing a breast cancer diagnosis, through support I can offer them, and through PRP.  

I am so glad that my family and I have been a part of this event since the beginning! My son, daughter and daughter in law have been working on PRP since day one! I am so proud of my children, and every one of these kids for the effort they have put into this project. PRP is an amazing, enchanting night, and I believe everyone who attends comes away with feelings of hope and understanding. There are  many of us here today because of people like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

~Brenda Shepherd

** Join us at PRP 4 on June 17th, 2017. Get event info & tickets here: Pink Ribbon Project

The Pursuit of More.....

I remember, as a child hearing the word cancer thrown around. We were told that once upon a time our Grandmother had fought and won against breast cancer. But that was it; no details, limited knowledge from a child’s perspective. Much later, when our son was born, my aunt was in the same hospital getting treatment for breast cancer. Just like her Mom, she was facing the same disease. Being older meant understanding more about this disease and what it could do. It meant a greater understanding, as a woman and mother what the impact of breast cancer might be, the toll it could take. Then thankfully with treatment completed, she was better.  No more was said and everybody moved on.  It wasn't until much later, when faced with new information that I started to wonder;  what more should I know? What more could I do?

Thinking about those questions throws me right back to my first Pink Ribbon Project experience. To be honest, it was just a night out for me and my husband! Some great friends of ours invited us and we showed up expecting some great food, drinks, entertainment!

Somewhere around the middle of the evening we realized we were there for a much bigger purpose.  The knowledge that was shared with us that night was amazing and the statistics regarding breast cancer were astonishing to us. Astonishing, even though breast cancer had affected my family, not once but twice!

After our first year attending PRP,  I was more motivated than ever to get involved. The following year;  donation in hand, we arrived with two of our family members that we wanted to share the experience with. You see, at the time our sister in law’s mother was battling cancer and we thought it might be a nice chance to enjoy a night out and take in the hope and support that just seems to be in the air at PRP. It was very touching to see her so deeply moved by a speech given by Jody, one of the committee's biggest inspirations for the event.  It seemed that just hearing  someone else's story made her feel a little bit better. That was the moment we decided that the following year, we would become sponsors.

At PRP 3,  I paid even more attention, keeping my ears and eyes open for any information I could soak in. We were introduced to other committee members and representatives from breast cancer organizations and had the chance to ask questions and learn more about breast cancer, specifically metastatic breast cancer. While we learned a lot and knew the impact of our contribution, still I went home that night asking my husband what we could do that would accomplish even more. 

Not long after this, those great friends who originally introduced us to PRP asked me if I would be interested in joining them on the  board of the Full Circle Foundation for Wellness. This is the group responsible for the Pink Ribbon Project and so, so much more. I jumped at the chance, this was what I had wanted!

From an attendee, to a sponsor and now to a participating board member. This was my chance to do more! Through the Full Circle Foundation I can reach and include more people, educate others, and most importantly, inspire others to do more as well.

We live in such a great community where people take the time to plan events like this that educate and raise awareness and funds for all kind of things. In the past I have championed other causes very near to my heart, so I know what it takes. It was time to take my passion for helping others and apply it to a different issue. One that impacted my family and the lives so many others. Full Circle Foundation gave me the opportunity I had been looking for, a way to do more. I'm grateful for  all the research that has happened between my Grandmother's diagnosis and now and for funding available to make new advances. My Grandma and Aunt survived and thrived and looking ahead I can be confident that I will have a hand in what the future holds for me and for my daughters as well.

As we move into Pink Ribbon Project season we are busy asking ourselves how we can have the biggest impact. How can we do more? What does more look like to the breast cancer community? We hope to see you at PRP 4 so you can see how we have answered these questions and how we can come together and do even more!!

~ Tanya Trembecki

** PRP is on June 17.  Tickets go on sale May 1. See our social media accounts for event & ticket info soon!

Pink Ribbon Project Thank You ~ The Ripple Effect

It's taken a little time to sit down to write this thank you....In the days that follow PRP I find that I need to regroup , reflect on the evening and move forward when I have the clarity to share what the event means to us,  and what actually comes to fruition through it, beyond just a final tally of the dollars and cents. 

photo credits: Jessica Surgenor Photography
Find full photo gallery here: http://jessicasurgenorphotography.pass.us/prp2016/

This year's Pink Ribbon Project was an especially tough one for me. With the progression of my Mom's breast cancer and the knowledge we gained in May of it's spread to her liver, there were days I found it difficult to focus on the details that need to be taken care of to bring this event to life. The reality of her battle weighed heavily on all of us as the event drew closer. She started her first round of chemo, which will now continue indefinitely just days before PRP. Knowing that we had organizations that depend on us and all of our guests to take care of gave me something else to focus my energy on and knowing what the night would bring; the energy in the room that gives love and support to those who need it allowed me to move forward with purpose. I am so grateful for that. 

We all know the  stat...1 in 9 Canadian women will face a breast cancer diagnosis. If it hasn't already, this disease will touch your life in some way. When you attend or support PRP in some way, do not underestimate the effect that has. Through the Pink Ribbon Project we are impacting each and every one of the women that will face this disease by supporting the  organizations that are on the front lines; funding research for early detection,  life saving & extending treatment and fighting for the best possible care for breast cancer patients.  You are making that possible.

This year the Pink Ribbon Project raised $21,000 to be shared between the Canadian Breast Cancer Network and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. On behalf of the PRP committee and the Full Circle Foundation I want to thank each and every person that supported PRP 3 in some way; we are truly humbled by the continued support of this event. Every year our partners and sponsors put their trust in us and give generously to make this event a reality. It would be impossible without them and we will be forever grateful.

If you read our blog posts leading up to Pink Ribbon Project or attended the event, you know that our focus this year was sharing, " Why We PRP....." In the months leading up to the event more and more reasons kept coming to light; not only as things changed for our committee and we found ourselves re-focusing but as people found us, reached out  and allowed us to start to feel the effects of what we have been doing the past 3 years. As people reached out, we began to see that our overriding reasons for Why We PRP actually encompassed every situation we experienced and made it clear that we are taking steps in the right direction. Educate, Advocate, Donate.....

Through  different mediums; social media, our blog, print and  educational materials we worked to shine a light on stage 4 or metastatic breast cancer to further  awareness and understanding of what a stage 4 diagnosis truly means. Our focus has always been to educate ourselves and others and we learned so much through this process. People have been reaching out to share with us what they have learned about metastatic breast cancer, what they didn't know, and how they will be more aware moving forward. For those of you who have shared, thank you. For me, knowing that we have reached even one person gives me more peace of mind.  Its too late for me to go back, to  know what I know now about stage 4 but I can move forward and share that information with others.  

We  specifically wanted to reach  women who have already faced breast cancer in the past and are living their lives with a cancer free status. We wanted them and everyone who loves them to be aware that 30% of them will have their breast cancer return as metastatic. Not to live their life in fear; but to tuck away this bit of information and be able to retrieve it if and when they have persistent, worsening symptoms that may even 

seem unrelated to their previous breast cancer battle. Live with hope, health and happiness but have the information to fall back on. We wanted their family to have  that little voice reminding them of what they know about metastatic breast cancer so that nothing catches them off guard. I used to wish every minute, of every day that I had figured it out sooner; that something would have clicked for me instantly, telling me that my Mom's breast cancer was back. How could I not have put the pieces together? I know now, that I couldn't put the pieces together because I didn't have them all. That puzzle couldn't be solved by me because I didn't know enough. Through PRP we are making sure that others have all the pieces. 

 The steps we have taken as a committee to get more involved in advocacy work have opened a door to both information and action steps. For me, I no longer feel frozen by fear. I know that there are steps I can take that may or may not change things for my family but may change the future for others. Through this new focus we have met others that have needed access to the information we have, or  to be directed to the resources we have accessed through our partnerships. One of the most humbling experiences I have had came to me by way of PRP as we welcomed a new friend and had the opportunity to hear her story, share resources with her and help her, if nothing else to know that she is not alone; that we are fighting for her too!

We are working hard  to have our concerns heard at both a provincial and federal level regarding access to treatments for stage 4 patients. With the guidance of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network and your support we are able to focus our energy in this area and we will not stop until we see equitable access for all breast cancer patients in Canada. Women with metastatic breast cancer are dying while they wait 2-4 years to access new treatments. This is shocking and unacceptable and we must continue to advocate for change. For my Mom and all other breast cancer patients with stage 4, this is a life or death battle and we will continue stand beside them, demanding change. 

When you support PRP you are allowing us to direct funds to organizations we feel are having the most impact on research and patient care. For us it has to be both. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation has recently made a commitment to fund more research that is specific to metastatic breast cancer. We look forward to seeing which projects will be funded and the outcomes of them . The Canadian Breast Cancer Network continues to advocate for the best care possible for all Canadians facing breast cancer and strives to shine a light on metastatic breast cancer. We are honoured to support the work of both of these organizations and are thankful for the partnerships we have built with them and will continue to build in the future.

Three years into PRP we are starting to see the ripple effect of this event. It's one night....9 hours to be exact where we have a chance to educate, advocate and donate....but the effects of that are starting to reach further and further each year. We don't know what will happen tomorrow but we know that within our community, if someone is looking for support, information, a friend who truly understands what they are facing or someone who will fight for them as they go through their own journey with breast cancer, that they know where to look. We know because we have experienced the ripples more and more each year. Keep reaching out to us if you need support ~ We are here. And for those of you that have supported PRP;  you are creating the ripple effect, keep sharing our stories, our work and what you experience when you attend PRP. You never know what the effect of that might be.

The support you show us through PRP means more than we can ever explain....to paraphrase what my sister, Tara said during her speech that night...Never underestimate what it means when you show up for someone who needs you. In what ever way you choose to show up,  please keep doing it.  In this journey we are on with our Mom,  you are the good. You are giving us the strength that we need to keep going; no matter what the future holds. 

You make it possible for us to fight for our Mom, and for all the those who have faced  breast cancer and for those who will face it in the future. I refuse to be paralyzed by fear and helplessness, I choose to keep moving forward, wearing the support of our Pink Ribbon Project family as armour around my heart, which is full of hope. 

~ Carmen 

Why We PRP....A Mother's Day Blog

Even before I started reading my way through the wall of Mother’s Day cards, I knew I wasn’t going to find one this year.  I didn’t want to read them, I didn’t want to feel like I was choking back tears, or feel disappointed that nobody seemed to be able to put into words what I was feeling for my Mom.  I didn’t want to think about the future, I didn’t even want to think about the past.  I just didn’t want to.

So I walked away empty handed. 

My head and my heart were full of things I wanted to express for my Mom, and to her.  Things I want people to understand about Stage IV breast cancer, about the brave souls fighting their battle with it, and about the families and friends battling alongside them.

I remembered I did have a card tucked away that I had been saving for my Mom.  To me, it seems to better capture the person she is: the selfless woman I admire, the courageous fighter I am in awe of, and the fierce giver of support, encouragement and love she shares with the world every day.......

“Once in a blue moon, people will surprise you…

and once in a while,

people may even take your breath away.” – Grey’s Anatomy

Thank you for making mine a lifetime of blue moons.

My Mom has always kind of taken my breath away.  From the early days when you love your Mommy just because she’s the most beautiful Mommy in the world, to the years when your love grows into respect, admiration, and gratitude, my Mom has never stopped amazing me.  She never will.   I will never be able to fully express my love, but I promise I will never stop trying.

Being part of the family of a Stage IV patient is a delicate balance.  There are so many days when people tell me how good Mom looks, and how they almost forget that she’s sick, and I am thankful for every one of these days and comments.  As her family, we are thankful for every good day, and every good checkup.  Whether we acknowledge it fully, our collective anxiety rises as each scan and test is performed leading up to her next three month checkup.  We hold our breath, waiting for either the other shoe to drop, or a good checkup.  Good meaning that the cancer in her bones is staying put, and not taking up residence in more sites, or in her organs.  Living with Stage IV in the family feels like a constant battle against the disease, and the clock.  Daily, we balance hope and fear, optimism and realism, and often struggle with so many questions that don’t have answers. 

Mom takes her hormone therapy and bone strengthening injections like most people take their vitamins.  She puts up with her family of watchdogs checking up on her – is she eating enough, resting enough, sleeping well, taking time with her friends, and taking time for herself??  She has always approached her fight with an attitude of accepting whatever it takes to keep her here for “her people”.

What I hope she knows is how very blessed we all feel to be “her people.”  She worries endlessly about how her cancer impacts her family, her friends, our friends, and the people around her.  It is hard, absolutely, but in the face of uncertainty and difficulties, our family has grown stronger and closer.  We tell it like it is, hold each other a little tighter, and make the most of the moments we have together.  Our extended circle of love and support is also amazing, and we have nothing but gratitude for that.

We are three years into this journey with Metastatic Breast Cancer.  A disease we knew very little about prior to Mom’s diagnosis.  We really didn’t know that 30% of those diagnosed with breast cancer will have it come back as Stage IV.  We didn’t know any of the things we maybe should have been watching for.  We didn’t know there were so many types of breast cancer, so many treatment plans, or so many people battling.  We just didn’t know.  Until we had to.

I think that is one of the most important things for people to understand about the Pink Ribbon Project.  To us, it is not just a fundraiser. We have so many reasons why we PRP.... It is about taking action in the face of something so much bigger than just our story.  We are raising money, but we are also raising awareness, educating people, and creating a community of support where people feel they can find the resources they need, or someone who just might understand a little of what they are going through.  As we work to educate ourselves, we hope to educate others.  As we find our voice for those fighting this disease, we hope others will join in to make that voice stronger.

The first two years of PRP benefitted the Canadian BreastCancer Foundation, which focuses funds mainly on awareness, research, and early detection.  This year we have expanded our focus to include the Canadian Breast Cancer Network as a second beneficiary.  This survivor driven agency works to make sure patients are getting the best care and support possible.  Recently they have placed more focus on Stage IV, which is why it is so important to share our support with them at this time.  They are fighting to ensure that Stage IV patients have access to the medications and treatments they need to prolong life.

We are proud to lend our support and voices to both of these organizations as they work to provide the research, support, and advocacy needed across all stages of breast cancer.  Both are needed, both are important, and both provide hope and resources to those who need it most.  For us, it has to be both.  We need to continue supporting the work towards an eventual cure, while also supporting those working on life extending treatments for those facing Stage IV right now.

Each year my list of reasons grows as to why I PRP.  My hope is that sharing our stories helps other people to understand more about this disease, and that sharing our event creates a feeling of community and strength.  Some days I feel like my three year-old at bedtime asking, “Mommy, will you stay with me for just a little longer?”  Other days, I can feel stronger, that as we educate, advocate & donate, we are making progress, making a contribution, and possibly a different story.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!  Thank you for being a fighter always – I love you to the moon and back, and more than all the stars in the sky….xoxo

~Tara

(For event & ticket information for the Pink Ribbon Project please see our webpage or  follow us Facebook )

Why We PRP......

Joining the Pink Ribbon Project (PRP) committee three years ago was a no-brainer ! My mom is a breast cancer survivor!  I knew that I needed to learn more about this disease and do my part to raise awareness and funding for research.  Not only does my mom’s future depend on it, but maybe so does mine and my daughter’s, maybe  her daughter’s and the daughters after that!!! I know that what we do now, will impact our family's future for years to come.

Working on PRP has given me a chance to look back and look forward. Looking back reminds me of how it was in the beginning, for me and for my family. Bringing the Pink Ribbon Project to our community allows me to help others who are just getting started in their own journey with breast cancer.

When my Mom was first diagnosed, the unknown was so very scary. I will never forget sitting in the Doctor's office while we were given the news. My Mom had breast cancer. How do you even begin to ask questions about something you know nothing about? We obviously knew breast cancer existed but all of a sudden we were overwhelmed with information. There are so many different kinds of breast cancer and different stages and it's not just as simple as getting the lump or breast (s) removed (which is actually a whole other difficult decision in it's self!) It was all so  confusing. I wish I had been more aware. Even while my Mom was going through treatment, I still didn't understand all it entailed and what it might mean for the future.

So in the beginning it was simple. My Mom is a survivor and I wanted to help. I wanted to know more, I believe that knowledge is power. Over the past few years, my reasons for continuing to "PRP" have become more complex as my own understanding of breast cancer grows. I am still learning about breast cancer and being on the committee is the biggest part of that.

Listening to the impact that breast cancer is having on my fellow committee members lives and families has opened my eyes. I didn't know that when or if breast cancer 'comes back' that it can come back as stage 4, or metastatic breast cancer and that when it does, it won't just be in the original breast location, it can come back in your bones or organs and it's still called breast cancer!! I recently learned that 1 in 3 breast cancer survivors will have their cancer recur as stage 4! This statistic tells me that there is a possibility that my Mom's cancer could come back. Now don't get me wrong, I am still hopeful that it won't;  but if it does, I will be more educated and feel a bit better knowing that through the Pink Ribbon Project I have helped put forth an effort to raise funds for research and education.  Our support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation allows us to support research, and the work that they do in discovering life saving treatment and hopefully one day, a cure for breast cancer.

This year we are choosing to expand our support for breast cancer organizations to include the Canadian Breast Cancer Network. Now, I don't know about you, but I hadn't heard of this organization or the work that they do! They have been working hard to educate others on stage 4 breast cancer and we want to support them in this area while we learn more about it ourselves!

One of the biggest reasons I continue to volunteer for PRP is to support others. It makes me teary eyed to hear stories of those  in our community that have just received a diagnosis, approach survivors they met or heard about at Pink Ribbon Project! Without attending PRP it may have taken them longer to find someone to reach out to for support. We believe strongly that it's not just about raising money. Its about awareness and creating a community of support. I had a friend contact me when she was diagnosed with breast cancer to see if she could talk to my Mom. It's very important not to feel alone. For those who are going through breast cancer to be able to connect with someone else who truly understands is so important. If we can help make that happen, that may be the most valuable thing that we do!

I am so proud to be part of the PRP team and of all we have accomplished over the past few years and I have big hopes and dreams for the future of the Pink Ribbon Project. You can find all the event details for this year, including ticket information here: PRP 2016 or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date!


While there are many different reasons as to "Why we PRP....." my biggest WHY will always be my Mom. She is the best Mom and best Grandma in the world! Her grandkids adore her and even call her "Fun Grandma" because she has always been the type of Grandma to get down on the floor and play with the kids! If there is a kid tent, she's in it; a game to play, she's playing  ; you want to go to the dollar store, just say the word!! We all need her in our lives for a very long time!!

This Christmas will be 5 years since my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am thankful for the care she received and the advances in the treatment of breast cancer that are keeping her right here where she needs to be! Mom, you are my rock, my advisor, my BEST friend! You have always known how to build me up and give me strength when I need it. Thank you for everything you do and everything you are. You are the most courageous & strong woman I know and I strive to be like you. I love you and cannot imagine life with out you!
~Shanda