Story

Annie Campbell was unprepared when her doctor confirmed she had breast cancer in 2001. She never suspected it could happen to her. At that time, she was unaware that breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women and that one in nine women are expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime.

“I was thrown for a loop. I felt as if I had lost control of my life,” Mrs. Campbell says now. “I thought back then that this could not be happening to me. Thankfully I had my husband and my family close by my side to help me get through it. I was fortunate.”

Today, Mrs. Campbell is a breast cancer survivor. And now she is giving back to the organization that helped her— the Canadian Cancer Society. Mrs. Campbell has been a Cancer canvasser for many years and has participated in the Society’s annual Relay for Life fundraiser. She is also a volunteer driver, helping cancer patients get to and from their cancer treatments and appointments.

“I wouldn’t have become a volunteer if I had not had such wonderful support from the Society. Every experience was so positive that I knew I had to give something back. Being a volunteer helps keep me grounded and reminds me every day of how fortunate I am. Helping others by showing them that there are survivors out there—is really what it is all about, “ adds Mrs. Campbell.

Mrs. Campbell also feels that by showing Canadians that there are survivors, it demonstrates that research into cancer is working, says Mrs. Campbell “It makes it very real to see that their support to the Cancer Society and Healthpartners is truly making a difference. With the resources and research we have now, if breast cancer is caught early, it is not as life threatening as it used to be,” says Mrs. Campbell.

Since her diagnosis, Mrs. Campbell and her husband have made a few changes in their lives. They moved into the city from the country and are now closer to their family and their grandchildren; they spent three months on their boat meandering through the Rideau Canal system, the Trent-Severn Waterway and Georgian Bay; sailed in the British Virgin Islands; and, Mrs. Campbell toured Holland with three friends on their bicycles.

“I have always had a list of things that I wanted to do. After I was diagnosed with breast cancer and survived, I started looking at my list differently. I knew that I had better get going and start ticking off the items on my list—you never know what the future holds,” says Mrs. Campbell.