Calgary Connection - Support for Young Women with Breast Cancer

By Karen Baird, Jane Demmings, Lorna Jay, Corrine Hutchings, Joan Aucoin, Barbara Thompson and Beth MacGillivray.

Last Updated: Nov 5, 2002
Articles & News : Articles : Conferences & Workshop Reports

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LtoR: Joan Aucoin, Corrine Hutchings, Barbara Thompson, Beth McGillivray, Lorna Jay, Karen Baird & Jane Demmings

Something new and exciting happened from October 18th to 20th for seven young Atlantic Canadian women.  They were flown to Calgary, Alberta for the first ever “Support for Young Women Workshop,” jointly developed and hosted by Willow Breast Cancer Support and Resource Services and the Canadian Breast Cancer Network.  These women were Karen Baird and Jane Demmings of New Brunswick, Lorna Jay of Prince Edward Island, Corrine Hutchings and Joan Aucoin of Newfoundland and Beth MacGillivray and Barbara Thompson of Nova Scotia. Willow Breast Cancer Support and Resource Services

Last year, as some of you may remember, CBCN and CBCFCRI held consultations with young women across Canada .  Out of the consultations a report called “‘Nothing Fit Me’:  The Information and Support Needs of Young Women with Breast Cancer’” was created. With the increasing number of young women being diagnosed with breast cancer, consultation findings indicated a strong need to advance the support needs of young women who are 45 years of age or younger dealing with this disease.  The need to brainstorm and network with women across the nation became a priority.

So luggage in hand, off we flew to Calgary , a friendly city with the Rocky Mountains on the horizon, to spend three days with strangers from every province and territory in Canada .  Some of the Atlantic participants had met before, but for the most part, even we were strangers to each other.  We had a mock support group meeting, shared our stories and got to know each other.  For some women this was the first time they had spoken about their experience with breast cancer. As young women, we are expected to be strong for our young families, parents and friends.  Being invited to open our hearts meant letting go of the ego, “the rock” self-image and feeling vulnerable.  But what we found was an environment of genuine compassion, similar feelings and a healing circle of love that brought us closer.  We listened and we were listened to.  What a powerful tool!

Speaking of tools, an excellent one was the “ Clarity Circle ” adapted from Sherod Miller.  This useful wheel contained the words:  Feel, Need, Source, Think and Action set out in pie-shaped segments.  Ours was set out with tape on the floor and we were encouraged to jump in with comments.  For example, someone would jump into the Need segment and say, “I need to tell my children I have breast cancer.”  Someone would continue the dialogue by jumping into the Feel segment and say, “I feel sad when I think about telling them.”  Someone else then would jump into the Think segment and say, “I think I should consult someone about what to say.”  And so forth.  We suddenly had a means to dialogue and find solutions as a group.

LtoR: Nancy Hammell, Anne Ferguson, Ciann Strickland & Deborah Cauz

While we participated in the workshop, ate meals together, roomed together and networked, it became very clear that there are no borders for breast cancer survivors.  No matter where we come from, no matter what culture has molded us, no matter what financial position we are in, we are united as a sisterhood of young women with breast cancer. 

By the time we felt cohesive as one national group, we suddenly found ourselves separated into regional groups in search of a method of support for young women in our region.  For us Atlantic Canadians that meant turning up the speed of our speech, throwing in jokes and getting down to business.  We chose the development of dragon boat teams as a project that would benefit young Atlantic Canadian women in their healing journey.  And with veteran Bosom Buddy dragon-boater Beth McGillivray in our group, the plan took on feasable dimensions.  When it was our turn to present, our spokesperson Karen Baird proudly introduced the idea of the Atlantic Dragon Queen Association.  Our heads were swirling with dreams of dragon-boat teams around the Atlantic Provinces , fostering camaraderie, breast cancer awareness, hope and life.  But mostly it was about supporting other young women in Atlantic Canada who dream of victory over this heartbreaking disease. 

To our national friends and to all those young women in our home provinces with breast cancer, let us hug each one of you--we all belong to each other.  Helping, caring, staying connected and reaching out to others--that’s what we can do for one another!

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