THUNDER BAY - At 47-years-old, Patti Lagrange learned she had breast cancer. With no family history of the disease or any major signs, she was suddenly faced with an unexpected fight. But with the support of family, friends, and doctors, she is now a three-year survivor, but Lagrange said she is not surviving, she is thriving.
“I am blessed,” Lagrange told more than 200 people gathered at the Fort William Stadium for the 21st Annual CIBC Run for the Cure on Sunday.
Bonnie Tittaferrante, run director of Run for the Cure, said more than 400 people registered for the event, and despite numbers being down slightly from last year, the support for women who have survived breast cancer continues to remain strong.
“I think it’s the women,” she said. “The survivors themselves just create an energy that we all want to be part of and we want to be here to support them. Their friends and family just keep coming out year after year.”
The fundraising goal of $60,000 was short by about $5,000 this year, but Tittaferrante said she hopes by the end of the day the rest of the money will trickle in.
The money raised goes towards breast cancer research, raising awareness, and supporting survivors, which Tittaferrante said gets people coming back year after year.
Before the run, a parade of survivors entered the stadium to a heartfelt applause before Lagrange addressed the crowd and shared her story.
“There was no expectation of having to go through that,” Lagrande said of her diagnosis. “I believe knowledge is power. I think the more you know, the more you can avoid having a death sentence from something like this. I think people need to be aware that it doesn’t always start with an obvious sign.”
Michelle Blackburn, who is a seven-year breast cancer survivor, was participating in the run with her team of more than a dozen people, The Leopard Pack, who she said continues to offer unwavering support.
“It’s what gets me through,” she said. “It’s what keeps me going every day and every year to come back to the run.”
“It’s so important because it lets us know that we are not alone, that people care and people want to see this disease come to an end,” Blackburn continued.
With Northwestern Ontario having higher rates of cancer than the provincial average, Tittaferrante said events like Run for the Cure are helping fund critical research into treatment and finding a cure, but also helping support survivors and women who may be facing a diagnosis.
“I think it’s important for us to know what people are going through and it just gives us a better perspective into other people’s lives and what people have to do to survive these diseases,” she said. “We are showing the community that we are supporting the people right in our city. Here we are, we are here for you, and we will do the best we can to help to get through these diseases.”
For anyone who may be faced with this terrible disease, Lagrange and Blackburn said having strong supports are key, but also, believing in yourself, and knowing you can fight.
“I would say try to be positive,” Lagrange said. “It’s really difficult, but it does make a difference. As for help, turn to your family, turn to your friends, and get support from them.”
“Don’t give up,” Blackburn added. “Don’t stop believing and don’t give up. There is support out there. Reach out to people, just don’t stop believing.”
