‘Decoding Annie Parker’ film – keep an eye out for it

An important film about surviving cancer and discovery of the breast cancer gene

I just read a story in our local newspaper about an important film that will be coming out sometime in 2014.

That story, in short, is this: Annie Parker lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 13. Both her sister and a first cousin died of the disease before 40. She was diagnosed at age 29 with the disease, opting for a radical mastectomy. At 38, the sharp-witted, irrepressible Toronto-area mother was told she had third-stage ovarian cancer. Again, she beat the terrible odds.

As if that weren’t enough, in 2006 Parker’s oncologist told her she had a tumor behind her liver. Again, she survived.

Interwoven into Annie Parker’s remarkable story is the discovery by geneticist Mary-Claire King (played by Helen Hunt) of the breast cancer genes BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 responsible for 5-10% of breast cancers. Her discovery has been heralded as one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the century.

I watched the trailer and look forward to seeing the film with an amount of hesitation.  Being a breast cancer survivor and my mom also, it will be emotional to watch this film. Luckily, I have had the genetic test done and they did not find this mutated gene in me. Whew.

But the filmmaker says this is not so much about the story of one woman’s life. “The film is more about what sustains people in times of crisis than anything else. I was trying to address a greater truth about the nature of the human condition that allows people to survive.”

Movie trailer & news article

What’s also interesting about this film is it was written by a local Vancouver doctor, Dr. Michael Moss, the provincial medical director for LifeLabs, a local blood testing lab.

What a great and important project for all involved. I look forward to it.

~Wendy

Creating a future without breast cancer – “Run for the Cure” 2012

This morning we just finished our 3rd Run for the Cure, to raise money for breast cancer research in Canada.

It is an important event for me, since my mom and I, and many friends, have been struck with this disease.  This year we formed a team called ‘MeaningfulWesternLife.com’ and our team raised $2,145.  There were 10,000 people running and walking with us this year.  Canada wide $30 million was raised.

This guy participates every year with his cat riding on his head!

Thanks to all the wonderful people who participated, fundraised and donated!

~Wendy

Celebrating my 1 year blogging anniversary!

Finding joy in a busy life.
Keep the noise of life behind you to cultivate joy and peace in your life.

Wow, I just realized my blog is a year old!  What a journey this has been and I thank you for reading my blog.  Your comments and encouragement are my joy.

When my meditation students encouraged me to start blogging last year, I thought, ‘Who, Me?’  I used to consider myself a fairly private person, but I see that I’ve changed in recent years. I have always enjoyed meaningful conversations with people but the cancer diagnosis of 2010 somehow has elevated this meaningfulness to greater heights. If I can help people discover more joy in their lives, my purpose in life is being fulfilled.

After all, what is life about?  To me, it’s about the moment-by-moment experience of life and having quality connections with people that mean something.

Run for the Cure – creating a future without breast cancer

I am doing the Run for the Cure this weekend (to raise money for breast cancer research). It is always a time of reflection and emotion for me.  Such a synchronicity that my blog is 1 year old at the time of this event.

My sincerest thanks to you for reading.

~Wendy

Creating a future without breast cancer – “Run for the Cure”

'Run for the Cure' start line

Today was a highlight of the year for me and my friends – we did the ‘CIBC Run for the Cure’ which is a large fundraiser that occurs across Canada to create a future without breast cancer.

Signs we wore on our t-shirts - who we are running/walking for

This was my second year participating, and although I don’t run it, I walk amongst a community of caring people.  It is a 5km course and the energy is heart-warming. Everyone wears the same t-shirt and many people wear signs to show who they are running for. Interestingly, my friends who have participated in other runs, like the Vancouver Sun Run, say the atmosphere of this event is very different – a community feel of love and support, not one of competition or anxiousness.

new BC Place stadium with retractable roof, just opened 2 days ago.

Here’s what the Run raised last year:  2010 was a record-breaking year! At British Columbia’s nine Run sites, some 22,000 participants contributed to a provincial fundraising total of $3.6 million. Across Canada, participants at 60 Run sites raised a total of $33 million. Vancouver alone raised $1.7 million!

Today I heard about two women who were diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant – can you imagine dealing with a new baby and starting cancer treatment at the same time?  Both these women are very positive and strong people, and are doing great now.

Friends have said to me “I don’t know how I would react if I got a cancer diagnosis. Just thinking about it scares me. I really don’t think I could handle it.”  This is what I tell them:  “If you had to face it, you would be able to. You would find the inner strength to get through it.”  I was stronger than I thought I would be – let me tell you!  Many gifts come with the journey.