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

in the area of cancer research and
development. At these meetings, they
found that the support of the group
enabled each of them to draw strength
from one another.
In October 2000, just after completing
chemotherapy and radiation therapy,
she organized a group called the
Paradise Care Bears to raise money
for research in the fight against breast
cancer. That year they raised $5,500
and won the Community Award. The
next year they raised $7,500 and won
the Nike Challenge Award for the
largest amount raised by a group.
Susan was elected to the CBCN Board
of Directors and served as a Director
until her death from breast cancer in
2004. When elected, she said that to
stay healthy, she swam, practiced yoga
and walked with Max, her standard
poodle who also kept her company
when she spent the winter of 2000 on
her couch recovering from treatment.
Gabriele Helms
British Columbia Director
(1966-2004)
Gabi was born in Dortmund, Germany
and died on December 31, 2004 in
Vancouver. She was survived by her
husband Bob Shore and daughter
Hana Gabriele Helms-Shore, born
at St. Paul’s Hospital on December
29, 2004; her parents Karl-Heinz
and Marlies Helms of Holzwickede,
Germany; her brother Michael Helms
of Dortmund, Germany; and many
friends and colleagues in Canada,
Germany and around the world.
Gabi received her Masters degree
in English from the University of
Cologne and her PhD in Canadian
Literature from the University of
British Columbia. She taught in the
Department of English at Simon Fraser
University and realized her dream,
becoming an Assistant Professor of
English at UBC. Dr Helms was an
exceptional teacher and scholar, and
made important contributions to the
fields of Life Writing and Canadian
Literature.
Gabi found great comfort and
friendship as a member of a support
group through the BC Cancer Agency
and her relationships there inspired
her to lead the organization of a
groundbreaking national event titled
“The Young and the Breastless: a
Networking Event for Young Women
with Breast Cancer.” Held at UBC in
May 2004, this event, the first of its
kind in the country, drew participants
from across Canada.
Gabi represented British Columbia on
the Board of Directors of the Canadian
Breast Cancer Network from 2002-2004.
Gabi always thought of others first,
and ultimately chose her daughter’s
life over her own. Breast cancer took
her far too early and she has been
profoundly missed.
Irene Scott
Co-Chair of the Canadian Breast
Cancer Network
Tribute written by Dianne Hartling, past
president, Breast Cancer Action (Ottawa),
Treasurer, Canadian Breast Cancer
Network.
Irene Scott passed away on June 21,
2005. She was one of the founding
members of Breast Cancer Action
(Ottawa) and served on the executive
as their first secretary. She was actively
involved as both a volunteer and
board member in all aspects of the
organization. She had a great sense of
humour and working with her was a
lot of fun.
Irene loved to be involved and
when survivors decided to form the
Canadian Breast Canada Network,
she quickly took the opportunity to
be on the steering committee and
worked closely with its founder,
Ninon Bourque, to establish CBCN
as a registered charity. She was also
instrumental in forming the first Board
of Directors from across Canada and
served as a Board member herself for a
number of years.
Irene’s infectious laughter healed many
disappointing moments and made our
journey through the world of cancer
easier than we had anticipated. Later,
after many experiences in organizing
and volunteering her expertise, Irene
decided to move away from the
cancer scene and concentrate on being
a grandmother to her much loved
grandson. Irene is still greatly missed
by her family, friends, colleagues
and all who were touched by her
generosity of spirit and dedication to
the cause. Irene’s philosophy on life
was very typical of the motto below
and I’m sure she lived her life well to
the end.
“Life should NOT be a journey to the
grave with the intention of arriving safely
in an attractive and well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate
in one hand, wine in the other, body
thoroughly used up, totally worn out and
screaming WOO HOO what a ride!”
Alison Bailes
Manitoba Director (1949-2003)
Alison Jean Bailes died at age 53
with her family by her side at the St.
Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg on July
21, 2003 following a lengthy illness
with metastatic breast disease. Alison
was a devoted mother to her children,
Cameron and Michelle, and was
survived by her brother Lawrie. She
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