Facing Cancer Together

Katie's Story: "I share so that others can receive the same support."

Last spring, Katie was playing soccer when she got elbowed in her left breast. Reacting to the hit, she brought her hand to her chest – instantly feeling a lump. At only thirty-years-old, cancer was not something that crossed Katie’s mind. She was concerned about the lump, but she assumed it had formed because of the trauma to the area from her soccer injury. 

Over the next couple months, the lump grew larger, harder and had started to feel painful. At the urging of a friend, Katie went to the hospital to get it checked out. Within a few hours …

Sept. 27, 2019 | by Allie Wiebe

“Make it absolutely beautiful”: A story of epic self love through cancer

Leisse Wilcox lives by the motto, “Take whatever it is that happened to shape you throughout your life, and make it your own. Make it make sense. Make it serve a purpose. Make it absolutely beautiful.”

Although a self-proclaimed ‘relentless optimist’ and advocate for self-love, Leisse confesses that being diagnosed with breast cancer last August, just a week before her 37^th birthday, was an unexpected and trying test of these beliefs.

Aug. 7, 2019 | by Allie Wiebe

“You can tell that glow didn’t come from the makeup”: My first time volunteering in a LGFB workshop

The beauty industry is not just skin-deep, contrary to popular belief. In the midst of all the glitz and glamour, you’ll find that it can also be deeply empowering. Think about the last time you’ve had a bad day. What did you do? Perhaps you had a warm bath with a cup of your favourite tea and a hydrating face mask on. Or maybe, you sought after a mini makeover at your go-to beauty counter to give yourself a little confidence boost.

June 18, 2019 | by Lumen Beltran

My ultimate fight

On December 17, at the age of 48, Josée was diagnosed with a Sarcoma cancer, a very rare form of cancer that usually affects men, 50 years and older and tall. "I'm 135 pounds, I don’t smoke, and I was in good health," says Josée, "it was a real shock and a total misunderstanding”. Josée defines herself as a person who loves life, who is always positive, hardworking, athletic and who likes to be surrounded by people. Her life changed without warning ...

She was referred to a wonderful doctor to whom she entrusts her life with a feeling of …

June 14, 2019 | by Suzanne Aranda

3 Tips to Get the Perfect #WINKDay Selfie!

Nailing that insta-worthy selfie can be quite the hassle. After all, there are a ton of factors involved in taking the perfect selfie. Lighting, angles, and your surroundings all play a role in capturing your inner glow. Adding a friendly wink to the mix can make it a smidge more difficult to snap.

But if that winking selfie can help women with cancer feel like themselves again, who wouldn’t be up for the challenge? It’s the most selfless selfie you can take!

Read on for 3 of my top tips to take your winking selfie game to the next level.

June 12, 2019 | by Lumen Beltran

“Why we WINK”: Employees inspired by peer

Fifteen years ago, Aida was 30 years old, with a 6-month-old son and had just been diagnosed with cancer.

The diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma was devastating. Having a new baby at home and learning to navigate life as a new mother as well as a cancer patient was the hardest thing Aida had ever done. As much as the treatment was physically and mentally taking its toll, she was surprised to find another thing weighing on her – the changes to her appearance.

June 12, 2019 | by Allie Wiebe

My LGFB Workshop Experience: "Tales of a Makeup Rookie"

This was the first time I had been in a room with a group of other women with cancer. Although cancer is a club you wish nobody needed to join, it was reassuring to see people so positive at various stages of their experience. Beside me sat a woman with no hair who was radiantly smiling and looking beautiful. I began to realize that this event was not about looking good by someone else’s standard but about and feeling comfortable in your own skin. I immediately felt it was going to be okay.

May 24, 2019 | by Shawna Potje

"The first steps to the old me": My first walk post-treatment and what I did to prepare

In my last blog, when I talked about my own recovery and “taking sickness to fitness” post-treatment, I credited my first walk for being the first steps in getting back to the old me. I also shared how scary those first steps can be - I hope that this story inspires someone to have the confidence to take theirs.

May 16, 2019 | by Adriana Lombardo

Finding friendships through cancer: "They just get it."

As a nurse, Shelley has been helping patients navigate their health for years. But when she was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 1C breast cancer in the summer of 2017, she was thrust into a system she had spent years a part of – in a very different experience.

April 16, 2019 | by Allie Wiebe

“Take it day-by-day. Do what’s best for you.”

One year ago, Jennie had just returned to her hometown of Napanee, Ontario, after a year teaching English in the UK. She was 25-years-old and was supply teaching locally when she came down with what she thought was the flu. Living in a town without a walk-in clinic, she made a trip to the ER after becoming concerned with how tired and short of breath she was feeling. 

March 29, 2019 | by Allie Wiebe