Network News - Winter 2009/2010 (PDF 3.7Mb - Canadian Breast ...

Stephanie Hall
One of CBCN’s Founders and
its First Office Coordinator
(1961-2000)
Tribute by Liz Whamond, former CBCN
President
On behalf of the Board and Staff (past
and present) of the Canadian Breast
Cancer Network, I would like to pay
tribute to a very special friend and
colleague.
Stephanie Hall was an exceptional
young woman. I first met Stephanie at
the National Forum o n Breast Cancer
in Montreal in 1993. She was highly
energetic with an extraordinary sense
of humour. Our paths crossed again in
November of 1994 at the “Engaging the
Vision” Workshop in Toronto. I got to
know Steph a little better this time and
was inspired by her tenacity, courage
and absolute conviction to the cause!
Her red hair suited her beautifully!
For the next couple of years, we
collaborated many times. As Planning
Committee Members to a fledgling
organization, we literally travelled
from coast to coast in support of the
Canadian Breast Cancer Network. In
1995 we were together as far west as
British Columbia and as far east as
Nova Scotia. At our regional meeting
in Halifax, Steph motivated the crowd
by playing Des’ree’s powerful song
“You Gotta Be.” Steph’s passion
ran through our blood. Stephanie
eventually resigned from the Board
of CBCN to become its first office
coordinator. She produced our very
first newsletters.
Steph knew that breast cancer was her
greatest enemy. She had a great thirst
for knowledge and both absorbed
and regurgitated, in tremendous
detail, knowledge of the disease,
complementary therapies and new and
innovative treatments. At o ne point
she asked me the stage of my cancer
at diagnosis. When I responded that it
was o ne stage less than hers she noted
that I was o nly a beginner!
There are a couple of funny stories
that I would like to share with you.
Past Board member Eva Bereti from
Edmonton, Alberta, was a very close
friend of Steph’s, and faithful until the
end. Eva dubbed Stephanie a “NIT.”
That’s a Native-in-Training! She
was always trying to emulate Eva’s
profound Aboriginal wisdom and
customs.
Irene Scott best remembered Stephanie
for her laughter and her sharing
ways. She called Steph a true Scottish
Soldier! Irene recalled the time that
they travelled back from Vancouver
together. They were not seated side
by side, so they rearranged all the
passengers o n the plane so they could
sit together. During a brief stopover
in Winnipeg, the flight attendant
suggested that boarding passengers
should check with Irene and Steph
about where they should sit!
On a serious note, Irene recalled the
story of the geese and how they always
look after each other. The Network was
conceived with this model in mind. As
the lead goose becomes tired, another
moves forward to lead the flock. In
true Network fashion, Steph eventually
stepped back and others led. Steph
visited Irene in Ottawa in October of her
last year. As Steph boarded the plane
for Toronto, Irene observed the biggest
flock of geese that she had ever seen!
Later than evening, over the phone,
Irene shared her sighting with Steph.
Mario, Stephanie’s partner, shared
his story with us. In response to the
question about what is the most
important service you think a volunteer
can offer to people requesting help,
Stephanie wrote, “a kindred spirit to
listen, who understands but does not
judge or see me as any less of a person
for being ill.”
Stephanie participated in other breast
cancer organizations as well as CBCN.
She was a former board member of
two Toronto organizations, the ABC’s
Support Group and the Canadian
Breast Cancer Foundation. The many
folks she met from these organizations
were also greatly inspired by her.
Stephanie died in 2000 in Toronto,
ending a long and valiant fight against
breast cancer. We owe you a debt
of gratitude, Stephanie, for being a
founding member of the Canadian
Breast Cancer Network. As our
organization grows and flourishes,
your vision will be remembered.
With love always,
Liz
Susan Harris
CBCN Newfoundland & Labrador
Director (2004)
Susan successfully operated her own
financial planning business, Griffin
Financial Services, for 11 years, where
she helped people plan for their
retirement through investments as well
as providing life insurance, disability
insurance and critical illness insurance.
In 1997, Susan entered the very first
Run for the Cure to be held in St
John’s, Newfoundland. On October
20, 1999, she was diagnosed with
breast cancer. Nearly immediately she
started to provide support to others
by organizing a breast cancer support
group. Their main focus was to
provide emotional support, nutritional
information and medical updates
18 Network News Winter 2009-10