Breast Cancer Survivors ‘Run for the Cure’ at Rideau Carleton Raceway
By Charlie Senack
It was an emotional and inspiring day at the Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Instead of celebrating wins at the casino, it was a time to recognize amazing advances in cancer research during the annual CIBC Run for the Cure.
Hundreds of cancer survivors and their families lined up in mostly pink to run five kilometers or walk one kilometer to fight the disease that an estimated 229,200 Canadians were diagnosed with in 2021.
The event had a focus on breast cancer, the most common form of the sickness, and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. One in eight Canadian women are expected to be diagnosed with the disease, and one in 36 are expected to die from it.
Leading the morning’s events on the main stage was cancer survivor Natalie Pearce, who shared her story of survival after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2021.
“I, like many of you, thought I was invincible and that cancer was something that other people got,” Pearce told the crowd. “This shattering diagnosis threw my life into a tailspin. Because of COVID restrictions, I was by myself when I got the news and I will never forget sitting in the parking lot afterwards, balling my eyes out.”
Pearce said her attention immediately went to her husband and three kids under the age of 16 at home. What would she tell them? How would they react? It was too much to think about.
Treatment soon followed and the then 43-year-old said she was unable to fully grasp what was going on in her body. Pearce had a mastectomy and then reconstruction surgery, but the implants were rejected and had to be removed. That’s when cancer cells were found in her lymph nodes.
Dose-dense chemotherapy followed for 16 weeks, then 15 daily rounds of radiation. The treatment worked and despite some annoying side effects from medication, Pearce said she’s thriving.
“There is no road map to life and sometimes you just have to hang on for the ride as ugly and awful as it may be. I have learned that when cancer comes for you, you can’t let it define you,” she said. “Shame is the worst feeling in the world and we all deserve grace. I’ve learned there is often purpose in battle and that more often than not we become better because of it. But most importantly, I’ve learned it’s ok to not be ok sometimes.”
The cancer walk was also a time for local singer Arlene Quinn to debut her new song “Wonder Woman”, performed in honour of her sister Cheryl, a breast cancer survivor.
”It was a shock to all of us (when she was diagnosed) because she was so young. Most women don’t get a mammogram before the age of 50 unless there is cancer in the family,” said Quinn. “It was found just by me having something found in my breast and she thought she should ask her doctor. Mine was fine but hers wasn’t. We went though a year and a half of supporting my sister Cheryl and it was a very difficult journey.“
The song was written by three Canadian women and was pitched to Quinn from a Nashville music producer.
“I was so inspired by the lyrics. People in general go through ups and downs. There are beautiful moments and moments where we need to go inside to find our inner strength. We need to remember there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Quinn. “The song shows you can be at your lowest point of life, but by hanging on to the mustard seed, there is a little bit of light and finally things are better again. When I listened to it I realized I wasn’t alone in my struggles.”
“Wonder Woman” is available for purchase on all streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes. A music video with photos of cancer survivors will also premiere on YouTube. All proceeds raised will be donated to fund cancer research.
Featured Image: The track at Rideau Carleton Raceway was the site of this year’s CIBC Run for a Cure. (Charlie Senack photos)
