Erin Beattie was out walking her dog when her phone rang with the news no one wants to hear 乌鸦传媒� she had breast cancer.
Beattie was diagnosed in September 2023, and what followed was months of emotional turmoil, tough decisions, and ultimately, strength found in knowledge and community.
Now cancer-free after a full mastectomy in February of 2024, the Vancouver Island woman is sharing her journey and encouraging others to walk alongside her at this year乌鸦传媒檚 CIBC Run for the Cure,
乌鸦传媒淎fter the diagnosis, I had a lot of time to reflect,乌鸦传媒� said Beattie. 乌鸦传媒淚t was incredibly tough 乌鸦传媒� full of ups and downs 乌鸦传媒� but the most important thing I did for myself was speak up and advocate.乌鸦传媒�
That advocacy started with research.
She poured over every pamphlet and medical journal she could find. Her first surgeon presented one option for surgery, but Beattie wasn乌鸦传媒檛 satisfied with the path laid out. She pushed for a second opinion 乌鸦传媒� a decision that may have changed the outcome of her story.
乌鸦传媒淚 read everything I could and made it a priority to understand what I was facing,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淲hen I got my second opinion, it really validated everything I had learned. A full mastectomy was essential 乌鸦传媒� the cancer had become invasive 乌鸦传媒� but the procedure they performed played a big role in helping me heal and move forward.乌鸦传媒�
Support came from every corner 乌鸦传媒� her husband, kids, her dog, and a network of friends who showed up when it mattered most.
乌鸦传媒淪o many people went out of their way to support me in whatever way they could,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚t was incredibly eye-opening 乌鸦传媒� it made me truly reflect on just how much those people mean to me.乌鸦传媒�
That sense of community led Beattie to last year乌鸦传媒檚 Run for the Cure 乌鸦传媒� an experience that opened yet another door in her recovery.
乌鸦传媒淚 arrived with my husband not knowing what to expect,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淏ut I remember all these incredible women coming up to me, making me feel so welcome, and sharing some really meaningful conversations. From that moment on, the whole day became something truly special.乌鸦传媒�
The CIBC Run for the Cure is Canada乌鸦传媒檚 largest volunteer-led, single-day event supporting the breast cancer cause.
Participants can walk or run either one or five kilometres, with funds going directly to the Canadian Cancer Society乌鸦传媒檚 research and support programs.
Last year乌鸦传媒檚 run raised $165,000 in Victoria alone, and organizers are hoping to top $200,000 this year.
Since 1992, more than $507 million has been raised to fund breast cancer research projects.
More than 46,000 people participated across the country in 2024, with Victoria joining Prince George, Surrey, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Kamloops and Nanaimo as the eight host cities in B.C.
With one in eight women expected to face a diagnosis in their lifetime, Beattie says it乌鸦传媒檚 more than just a run 乌鸦传媒� it乌鸦传媒檚 a symbol of strength, healing, and solidarity.
乌鸦传媒淵ou can walk, run, or jog 乌鸦传媒� just show up,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淣o matter what your story is, your presence and your fundraising make a real difference.乌鸦传媒�
