BRIGHT Run chair promoting mammograms
Grimsby resident Nancy McMillan is well known in Hamilton and beyond as chair of the BRIGHT Run, an annual fundraiser that has raised over $3 million for breast cancer research locally since the event started 10 years ago. Nancy and her husband Gord Bell also believe in cancer screening, and are encouraging fellow motorcycle enthusiasts to visit the Regional Cancer Program’s booth at October’s Friday the 13th event in Port Dover for information about the Ontario Breast Screening Program, Ontario Cervical Screening Program and ColonCancerCheck.
Father and daughter promote mammograms
Lissa Hill is a busy fashion designer whose Hamilton-based company specializes in quality leather wear for motorcycle enthusiasts. In spite of her demanding schedule, Lissa makes time for her health, including having a mammogram as part of her routine medical care.
“My mother passed away from breast cancer 17 years ago so prevention and early detection are high priorities for me,” says Lissa, who together with her dad Fred Hill of Port Dover is helping spread the word about October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of mammograms as part of a woman’s routine medical care.
Mammogram finds cancer early
Niagara resident Gay Culp credits a purse cleaning with leading to a lifesaving mammogram. It was 2005 and Gay was due for a routine mammogram. But life got busy, and the booking information ended up lost in the bottom of her very full purse.
“After a couple of months I decided to clean out my purse and found the information,” said Gay, who had completely forgotten that she was due for screening.
Clan Mother encourages cancer screening as part of a healthy lifestyle
(HAMILTON, ON) — Haudenosaunee Confederacy Clan Mother Kathy Smoke is looking forward to many more years of enjoying her children, grandchildren and large circle of family and friends. That’s why she’s so grateful to have undergone a lifesaving mammogram just over one year ago that detected breast cancer in its early stages.
“You might be thinking, `Oh no. Not me. I won’t get cancer,’” said Kathy, a guest speaker recently at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre where she was promoting cancer screening. “It’s important to get checked, just to be sure.”
Hamilton friends encourage routine mammograms to fight breast cancer
If Hamilton resident Mimma Musitano could turn back time, she’d return to the year she turned 50 and start breast screening as part of her routine medical care through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP).
“I didn’t think I needed a mammogram because I felt healthy and didn’t have a family history of breast cancer,” said Mimma, 59, who discovered a large mass in her left breast two years ago.