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Canadian Breast Cancer Network Honour Roll The Network is a unique national organization in that its Board of Directors is composed entirely of women living with breast cancer. Over the years many Directors have succumbed to breast cancer while in office or after having served the Network in this capacity. The purpose of this article is to remember them and honour them. They were women who were passionate about improving the lives of others living with breast cancer, from those who are newly diagnosed to those living their final days. They worked hard to create support and action groups, dragon boat teams and other community resources, to reduce wait times, to draw attention to the lack of services to young survivors, women living in rural, remote and Northern regions of Canada, women whose first language is neither English nor French, women living with metastatic breast cancer. They cared enough to give their time and energy so that others would not have to go through what they did. Suzanne Giroux British Columbia Director (1967-2001) Suzanne Giroux died at the age of 33 o n June 10, 2001. After nearly losing her life to breast cancer in her late 20s, Suzanne was given nearly three years of renewed hope, but in the end, drugs failed her and she succumbed to the disease after a determined fight. Her memoir A Chance for Life was published by ECW Press a few months before she died. Suzanne was the daughter of Huguette Bourdeau of Cornwall, O ntario and the late Claude Giroux, granddaughter of Yvonne Aubin and Benoit Laurendeau of St-Barthelemie, Quebec and the late Arthur Giroux and also the late Bernadette Lefebvre and the late Henry Boudreau. She was survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services were held o n June 13, 2001 in Christ Roi Church, Cornwall. Suzanne joined CBCN’s Board at its Annual General Meeting in November 2000. She was o ne of two British Columbia representatives. She became ill again not long after she joined the Board, so we were not fated to know her well, or to have the opportunity to work with her as she developed as a CBCN Board member and breast cancer advocate. Suzanne was also an honourary member of the Board of the Saunders- Matthey Foundation for Breast Cancer Research in Ottawa. O n December 15, 2001, the Saunders-Matthey Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, the Paradise Health & Fitness Centre, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital and the VON dedicated the Suzanne Giroux Memorial Rehabilitation Centre for Breast Cancer Patients in Cornwall. Given Suzanne’s death at such an early age despite her strong will to live, it is fitting that she has been honoured by a facility in her name that will help others in their recovery from breast cancer. Mary Drover Co-Chair of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network Remembering Mary Ellen Drover, by Diana Ermel, past president of CBCN Mary Drover became co-chair of the CBCN after the founding meeting in November 1994. Mary was my first breast cancer role model. I met Mary at the November 1993 Montreal Forum on Breast Cancer. Mary was there as an activist, fighting for national recognition of the terrible issues that accompany a diagnosis of breast cancer. I was newly diagnosed and just grateful to be in the presence of someone like her. There she was, alive and vibrant, telling me her breast cancer story, including that nine years previously the medical community had given her six months to live. She used a cane sometimes because the radiation treatment for the cancer that had invaded her bones those many years ago had left her with damaged muscle, bone, and tissue. She was at point of needing a new knee. Mary was so excited that something was finally being done to address the impact of breast cancer; I was just inspired meeting someone who had lived…. with metastases… beaten the odds. As I came to know Mary, I learned she was far more that a “survivor.” Mary was one of those special people, warm and generous of spirit, full of fun, and wise. Mary touched all those who knew her. Breast Cancer Action Saskatchewan was founded by the group of us who attended the Montreal Forum. Mary was instrumental in making that happen. Mary was a tireless and vocal spokesperson for the breast cancer community. Mary always made sure the voice of Saskatchewan people affected by breast cancer was heard nationally. Mary’s career included working with Heritage Canada, Saskatchewan Culture and Recreations, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and she was a former Executive Director of the Saskatchewan’s Writers Guild. She was loved and admired by the arts community. Mary was also a 16 Network News Winter 2009-10
pop-culture diva. She grew to love television and magazines as well as best seller hardcover books of poetry and prose. Mary knew every band and musical trend of the past 30 years. Mary loved a good giggle, a good gossip, a ribald clever joke, live theatre, the daily cryptic crossword, CBC radio, and lively discussion. Mary was a forward thinking liberal thinker with a wonderful intellect. Mary did the G & M cryptic crossword up to and including the day she died. Yes, cancer did catch up with Mary. She passed from this earth on April 8, 2002, 18 years after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. After the service of remembrance for Mary, each guest was given a helium filled purple balloon to release into the heavens to commemorate the wonderful indomitable spirit that was Mary Ellen Drover. Mary would have loved that. She knew the value of life and lived her life to the fullest, in the way she wanted. She is still my role model, not because of what she taught us about dying, but because of what she taught us about living. Ninon Bourque one of CBCN’s Founders (1955-1997) Ninon Marie Bourque was born on June 22, 1955 in Ottawa. Her passing on October 21, 1997 of complications relating to breast cancer was met by all with great sadness and a profound sense of loss. A devoted mother and wife, loving sister and daughter and loyal friend and outstanding public servant, she was also a dedicated breast cancer activist. Her determination to make a difference in the lives of others led her to play a leading role in bringing the needs of cancer patients and survivors to national attention. In November 1993, Ninon made an important contribution to the success of the groundbreaking National Forum on Breast Cancer, serving as a spokesperson for breast cancer survivors. In 1994, Ninon helped establish the Canadian Breast Cancer Network and served as its first chair. As a member of the Management Committee of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative (now Alliance), she won praise for her ability to articulate the needs of cancer patients in shaping future research priorities. Whether at the committee table or in speeches delivered across the country, Ninon’s messages were clear and simple. Breast cancer patients as well as survivors of all types of cancer, are searching for the knowledge to heal. They need access to relevant, understandable and timely information on prevention and healing. Healthcare consumers are demanding empowerment. But more often than not the information they need is difficult to obtain or difficult to understand. As consumers, they find great gaps in the information available to them. Ninon advocated the need for champions of a holistic approach to health, focused on wellness, prevention and increased patient involvement. Ninon herself was one of those champions, although she had only a few short years to apply her skills to this cause. She practiced what she preached. She took charge of managing her own health and became highly knowledgeable about her disease and related treatment options. This helped her face the challenge of cancer. Ninon developed a true partnership with her oncologists and integrated complementary approaches, such as acupuncture, diet, exercise and psychological and spiritual growth into her treatment plan. Ninon’s courage and vitality, her powerful desire to assist others, and her vision of a healthier future for those living with cancer provided the inspiration for the establishment of a patient resource library at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre – General Campus. The Ninon Bourque Patient Resource Library offers cancer patients and their families improved accessibility to the information the need to meet the challenges of cancer. Francine Gervais Quebec Director (1948-2009) Francine Gervais (1948-2009) died of metastatic breast cancer on August 2, 2009. Daughter of Gaston Gervais (Margot) and the late Therese Pinel, she will be fondly remembered by her father, daughter Isabelle, brothers Claude and Pierre (Loretta), close friends Patricia and Samia, as well as friends, colleagues, and extended family. Francine taught French at John Abbott College from 1972 to 2008. Some of her undertakings in recent years included dragon boat racing, fly fishing and singing in the Florilege Choir. She was also actively involved with the Canadian Breast Cancer Network, the Serenite support program of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation and Vincor’s QBCF fundraising campaigns. Francine served on the Network’s Board of Directors since 2004, and was most recently Member-at-Large on CBCN’s Executive. We will all miss her infectious smile, her cheerful personality and her contributions to our national Board composed of women living with breast cancer. Network News Winter 2009-10 17
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Page 3 and 4: The people involved in the SAN exte
Page 5 and 6: Canada on the Economic Impact of a
Page 7 and 8: Christmas Appeal By Mona Forrest Do
Page 9 and 10: other with only the slightest glanc
Page 11 and 12: NEW SURVEY FINDS RECURRENCE IS THE
Page 13 and 14: program will be a multi-year proces
Page 15: of Directors, 2005 Young survivors
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Page 21 and 22: Richard Robinson’s successful “
Page 23 and 24: Controversy about Mammography Scree
Page 25 and 26: Thank you to CBCN 2009 Online Aucti
Page 27 and 28: Continued from Page 24 Controversy

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