Supporters Like You

Jane anticipated surgery, but instead, her treatment began with six rounds, plus an additional round of neoadjuvant chemo. Following chemotherapy, she underwent surgery and then began radiation therapy.

Despite the challenges, Jane chose to continue working, finding focus and support among her colleagues, who were also some of her closest friends. Gradually her life returned to a semblance of normalcy, although she remained on monthly treatments.

In 2023, Jane started experiencing abnormal headaches, which she initially attributed to stress from dealing with a loss of a loved one.

“I assumed it was stress-related, like I was taking on more than I could handle,” she said.

However, these headaches were caused by six tumours found in her brain – her breast cancer had metastasized. The largest tumour was surgically removed, and the remaining tumours were treated with radiation.

“When it comes down to it, Princess Margaret saved my life,” Jane said.

In gratitude, she has included a gift to The Princess Margaret in her Will, benefiting breast cancer and neuro-oncology research.

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation is profoundly grateful to donors like Jane, whose legacy gift will advance the future of cancer care and research.

During her treatment at The Princess Margaret, Leslie met with the team at The Bhalwani Familial Cancer Clinic. Through their investigation, the team identified that Leslie’s cancer contained a mutation in the BRCA2 gene, meaning it was hereditary. This was a surprise to Leslie. “My family did not have a notable history of cancer, except my father who had prostate cancer at 77 years of age, a time when many men develop prostate cancer. He turned out to be the genetic carrier.”

This genetic mutation puts Leslie at risk for six other types of cancer, including breast cancer. The familial tie to her disease highlighted the importance of genetic testing and inspired Leslie to give back to the Early Detection team. “Early detection gives me and many others hope,” said Leslie.

Leslie decided to leverage her personal and professional experience to become a member of the Patient Advisory Group for Drs. Trevor Pugh and Raymond Kim’s CHARM clinical trial. This international study aims to develop a new liquid biopsy – a non-invasive blood test – that can detect tumours in patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. These patients are born with a genetic change that places them at a higher risk for developing many cancers in their lifetime.

Leslie has made a gift in honor of herself, her husband, and their two dogs in support of The Princess Margaret. She has also set up a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) to help ensure continued funding for this critical area. “My diagnosis has driven my financial support for The Princess Margaret as well as my decision to make a planned gift through my estate. I want to help advance genetic-based research, such as CHARM, in any way I can.”

Margaret’s involvement with The Princess Margaret runs deep. She’s cycled more than 200km to raise funds for cancer research nine times. She also worked for the Foundation supporting its fundraising efforts. She has also left a Legacy Gift in her will.

“I know firsthand that supporting The Princess Margaret will further cancer research and get us closer to a world without cancer,” says Margaret, who was only 30 years old when she was diagnosed with a rare form of acute leukemia in January 1988.

After a combination of chemotherapy and other drugs proved unsuccessful, Margaret was left with few options.

The Princess Margaret was only performing transplants for patients in remission at the time but Dr. Hans Messner, who pioneered stem cell transplantation at The Princess Margaret, agreed to try the procedure. It was the first time this would ever be done at The Princess Margaret and in the country. With her sister as her donor, Margaret received her transplant later that year in May.

Eighteen days later, she walked out of the isolation room with no traces of cancer left in her body. She didn’t share her story until two decades later, when she took part in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2008. When she reached the finish line, Dr. Messner was there, waiting for her with a big smile on his face.

“It was just an incredible moment to think that 20 years earlier we were in my hospital room. There’s no way we could have imagined this.”

Dr. Messner passed away in July 2018 from bladder cancer and Margaret helped to honour him with a tribute at the 2019 Ride.

Margaret is now writing her memoir to share her story to a wider audience. “I have no idea why I’m still alive, but the least I can do is try to help other people in the same situation. I want to give back and share my story so other people can feel hope.”

Joan, along with another of her sisters, Marilyn, is a committed donor. She met with an estate planner at the Princess Margaret to create her legacy gift. It was a simple process, she says. “A legacy gift is a thoughtful way to support research so that one day we can Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime. It’s one way of giving back to society.” Joan also appreciates that leaving a gift to charity can offer significant tax benefits that can reduce or possible eliminate the tax owing on your estate. “I want to have everything in order so 100 per cent of my assets will go to charity,” she says. 

Marilyn is equally committed. “As research continues at The Princess Margaret, there is a human life that will always benefit from the donations received,” Marilyn says. 

Paul’s oncologist, Dr. John Trachtenberg, suggested he consider participating in a photodynamic therapy (PDT) study. PDT uses a light-sensitive drug that is activated by ultraviolet rays. The energy is transferred via laser to the targeted tissue, destroying cancer cells. While the initial procedure went well, Paul required a repeat PDT procedure two years later. This time, recovery proved difficult and a new treatment was needed. He began hormone therapy.

“It’s been a rough trip but with all the support I’ve had, I’m coming out of it,” says Paul who looks at his prostate cancer as a manageable condition. He’s learned to appreciate every day. “I literally stop on the street to smell the roses,” he says. “I don’t focus on the negative.”

As a monthly donor to the Foundation for over 12 years, Paul has also left a gift to The Princess Margaret in his Will. “I’ve seen treatments improve over the years,” says Paul. “People are living longer than they were 30 years ago.” Paul retired in 2007 after 39 years as a flight attendant but travel remains his passion. He doesn’t intend to let cancer ground him from seeing the world.