Story

Nancy was only 27 in 1996, when her doctor diagnosed her with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In 1997, her 11-year-old brother Michael donated his bone marrow to Nancy for a life-saving transplant. Michael says that because his sister survived, he was able to too; had she not lived, a part of him would have died as well. Nancy continues to see Michael as the reason she is alive today to be a mother to her daughter.
Nancy, a cancer survivor—or, as she calls herself, a cancer thriver--has been involved with the Canadian Cancer Society since 1997. She is deeply committed to the organization and is involved in a variety of ways. Nancy is a major supporter of Relay For Life and was instrumental in bringing the event to the West Prince area of PEI. Her own personal Relay team, Valencia, has successfully raised over $80,000 alone to help beat cancer.

Nancy volunteers for CancerConnection, a Society peer support program for people living with cancer. This program trains volunteers who have had a similar cancer experience as the patient and provide patients with support and information. Nancy is also a member of the Board of Directors for the PEI Division and an original member of the PEI Cancer Control Strategy.

In 2007, Nancy was one of six Canadian women to receive a FLARE Volunteer Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer achievements determined to have made a difference to the lives of the people in their communities. Nancy was honoured for her committed work with the Canadian Cancer Society along with other organizations when she was recognized with the Order of PEI in 2008. The honour she is most proud of, which she feels bears the most significance to her, is the national Canadian Cancer Society Medal of Courage, which was awarded to her in 2005. Individuals who show outstanding and unusual courage in helping others and who contribute significantly to help further the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society, all while fighting their own battle with cancer, are honoured with this award.

“I try to do what I can do for others. Having experienced and survived cancer, I feel that volunteering is how I can best serve the people of my community. To help make the life of someone easier as they go through cancer is a special gift that I can give.”