Beth Marchant
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
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In April 2015, Gordana, a vibrant 44-year-old, received a breast cancer diagnosis, turning her life upside down. She had never faced health issues before and was living an active life, running a successful transportation company. As a wife and mother, Gordana was unsure of what the future held for her family.
Her year-long battle with breast cancer involved surgeries in both breasts, chemotherapy, and radiation at Trillium Health Partners’ Credit Valley Hospital. Losing her hair during treatment was a poignant moment, but she faced it with strength and resilience, opting for a wig and maintaining strong social connections with friends.
Gordana attributes much of her strength to the support of her care team, especially Dr. Brian Higgins, her Medical Oncologist. She describes him as “compassionate and cool, providing her with comfort throughout her journey”.
Now, seven years later, Gordana remains in remission and dedicates time to volunteering for Breast Cancer Canada. Her passion for raising funds and awareness led to a remarkable initiative with her business (Gavro Freight) — Gordana created moving billboards dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. The two trucks travel across the United States and Canada, spreading inspiration to women all over North America.
Gordana’s motivation comes from her desire to give back after overcoming her diagnosis. She’s met numerous survivors, and their stories continue to inspire her to raise funds and awareness, emphasizing the importance of supporting other women. Her journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of one person’s experience to make a meaningful impact on others.
“When I started treatment, I was the youngest person in the room… Now, that’s not really the case.”
The most important thing was living every day to the fullest – and the memories.
“Progress means every woman — in every Canadian community — is seen, heard, and cared for”.
“With more research and more awareness, we can ensure fewer women are blindsided the way I was.”
Breast Cancer Canada donations fund life-saving research that directly impacts Canadian patients. That means better answers, bigger breakthroughs – and more personalized treatment for every breast cancer diagnosis.
Our suite of digital tools are each designed to help individuals better manage their breast cancer journey through education, research and personalized insights, while also elevating the patient voice.
Every breast cancer journey is unique, but together, these stories paint a powerful picture of progress. Through firsthand accounts from patients and survivors, we share stories that highlight the lived-experiences of breast cancer.
Progress happens when we invest in it. Canada is home to some of the world’s brightest minds in research. Together, we are advancing science, ensuring it leads to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes for patients across the country.
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