805 Lit + Art essay: Talisman

“One time, I found what I thought was a silver dollar until I picked it up. It was thin and aluminum, and what it most resembled was an encircled five-starred sheriff’s badge. One side displayed a crown. The flip side revealed a horseshoe surrounded by the words GOOD LUCK. According to Google, these types of tokens were used in vending machines or parking lots in the eighties. Despite my best efforts, I never figured out where this one originated, but it’s been in my wallet for thirty years. Now silvery-white and polished smooth, it’s cool to the touch. Yet, [...]

By |2024-08-28T12:36:35+00:00August 27th, 2024|Publication, Survivor, Writer|0 Comments

Summer slowdown

I seldom give myself permission to slow down, but the combination of a cottage getaway, good book and too-hot-to-move weather shaped a very relaxing week. Reading Abraham Verghese’s Covenant of Water at water’s edge seemed very meta. Propulsive storytelling and gorgeous writing ensure this book will linger in my mind. Early morning walks to beat the heat and consistently fiery sunsets framed languorous days. Perfect for sighting a gaggle of geese, pair of loons, fast-moving turtle, porcupine!?! (not sure who was more scared) and a magnificent bald eagle. Once again, nature restores and [...]

By |2024-08-27T22:03:13+00:00July 31st, 2024|Publication, Survivor, Writer|0 Comments

RTCC 2024: Cancer research cycling fundraiser

My favourite cycling fundraiser is back!  It's time to train for the Ride to Conquer Cancer in support of life-saving research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Today marks the 36-year anniversary of the experimental bone marrow transplant that cured my leukemia and saved my life. That’s why I’ll be back on my bike June 8-9 for my 14th Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer. The Princess Margaret is Canada’s single largest cancer research centre. It’s the place where stem cells were discovered, T-cell receptors were cloned, and the first cancer stem cell was identified. With 850 active clinical trials [...]

By |2024-05-25T21:26:47+00:00May 12th, 2024|cycling, fundraising, Survivor|0 Comments

The Examined Life Journal essay: Endangered

Excerpt from my essay "Endangered" published in the Examined Life Journal, Volume 11 (2024) "We fly to Florida in early January, fleeing Canada’s snow and ice. Two days later, my partner in life and travel sits beside me on the outdoor patio of Mulligan’s Beach House overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Azure-blue sky borders the saltwater, which sunlight refracts and resolves into multi-layered shades of turquoise. At the horizon, a delicate ribbon of periwinkle haze shimmers. Maybe it’s an ordinary day for most people here. But for me, it’s a joyful re-awakening, as if I’m meeting myself again after a [...]

By |2024-02-24T21:09:51+00:00February 24th, 2024|Covid-19, Publication, Survivor, Writer|0 Comments

Research Excellence at PMH

In November, I attended a couple of events to celebrate research excellence at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). The first one focused on illustrating fundraising impact, both in the clinic and the laboratory. A new state-of-the art clinic to support people who are undergoing clinical trials treatment, and new lab equipment to expedite testing of new therapeutics for blood cancers would not have been possible without generous donors. As a long-time supporter of the hospital, it's gratifying for me to see the impact of that support. Later in the month, I attended another inspiring event to once again celebrate fundraising [...]

By |2024-07-28T00:24:11+00:00November 27th, 2023|cycling, fundraising, Survivor, Volunteering|0 Comments

Anything is Possible for BMT Survivors

On September 27th, I had the great pleasure of speaking to other survivors at the inaugural Princess Margaret Hospital Allogeneic Blood and Marrow Transplant (Allo-BMT) Patient Survivorship Day In the 35 years since my transplant, I've never seen so many BMT recipients in one place—it was mind-blowing! There were easily 300+ people including survivors, friends, family, and staff from the Transplant unit and Leukemia clinics at PMH. I hope to see many more people next year ❤️ We celebrated the joy of survival and reminded ourselves that anything is possible. I soaked up the energy of connection through conversation [...]

By |2023-12-27T21:38:37+00:00October 4th, 2023|Survivor, Volunteering|0 Comments

15 years of Riding to Conquer Cancer

There are many things that can happen to a body after a bone marrow transplant. Graft vs Host disease, infection, viruses, autoimmune conditions, not to mention the lingering side effects of treatment and medication. And if you’re lucky enough to survive 35 years, as I am, there’s old age and achy joints to slow you down. Think ’57 Chevy with a rebuilt engine and a whole lot of tinkering! One constant for me these past three and a half decades has been the extraordinary care and compassion of the people who work at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. [...]

By |2023-10-15T21:35:22+00:00April 29th, 2023|cycling, fundraising, Survivor, Volunteering, Writer|0 Comments

Commit to #3in2023

Make a difference this holiday season by giving the gift of life. I’m honoured to share my story for the #3in2023 holiday campaign in support of Canadian Blood Services. The campaign features remarkable stories about the ongoing impact of a single donation by generous donors. Your gift of blood, plasma, platelets, stem cells, organs or tissue could save a life! I know this because 157 transfusions saved my life while I waited for a transformative stem cell transplant 35 years ago. Click here for more information about how to commit to your 3 in 2023. Back to Complete List [...]

By |2023-10-15T21:35:45+00:00November 26th, 2022|cycling, fundraising, Survivor, Volunteering|0 Comments

RTCC Ride #12: That’s a wrap!

I named my bike Freedom last year. In the midst of the pandemic, cycling was a blissful break from lockdowns and restrictions. It helped put my life in perspective and reminded me to be grateful, even with gusty headwinds and rubbery legs :) This year, 3,000+ riders joyfully gathered in-person and cycled 200km+ for cancer research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. My 12th Ride to Conquer Cancer was a tribute to everyone affected by cancer including Dr. Hans Messner—Heme Team founder, avid cyclist, and the man who performed my life-saving bone marrow transplant in 1988 as a research [...]

By |2023-10-15T21:36:56+00:00June 26th, 2022|cycling, fundraising, Survivor, Volunteering|0 Comments

Another (pandemic) year, Another Ride

Pandemics come and go, but the Ride to Conquer Cancer persists. I’ve written about this event in my memoir -- about the first Ride in 2008 and how cycling 200 kilometres over 2 days helped me reclaim my health and come to terms with the after effects of the bone marrow transplant that cured my leukemia. I’ve continued to ride ever since. Ride #11 this year seems more important than ever. It's a way to transcend the fear and anxiety scenting the air and to remind myself that this too shall pass. You can learn more about why I [...]

By |2023-10-15T21:37:33+00:00August 7th, 2021|Covid-19, cycling, fundraising, Survivor, Volunteering, Writer|0 Comments
Go to Top