My Updates
Before asking for your support, I want to share some of the events that have brought me here today. In 1972, at the age of 3, my brother Robbie was diagnosed with acute myleoblastic leukemia. At that time, his future was certain – there was nothing that could be done, and he would die as a result of the disease. Rob passed away less than a year later.
Eleven years later, when I was diagnosed with an aggressive spinal cord tumor, although my prognosis was much better, my long-term survival was uncertain. Today, through advances in early detection and improved treatments, over 80% of children and 65% of adults diagnosed with cancer will overcome the disease. However, many will continue to confront considerable health challenges throughout their lifetimes.
Prior to my first cancer diagnosis, I was slowly losing function in my lower extremities. At the time, it was thought that the weakness that I was experiencing was because of several falls that I had had over the weeks prior. It became rapidly apparent however, that the falls were merely a symptom of something more serious. After several medical consultations, I was finally seen and assessed by a neurosurgeon. Less than 8 hours after the initial exam I was on the operating table. Following the surgery and the removal of as much of the tumor as was possible, I underwent 6 weeks of radiation therapy and several months of physiotherapy. Even though I was still unable to walk, all I could think of was getting back to school so I could rejoin my basketball team.
Having confronted two additional cancers (bladder and most recently, ovarian cancer) as well as a recurrence of the spinal cord cancer, physical activity has and continues to play a significant role in my recovery and my overall health and well-being. My passion for advocating for physical activity and exercise programming for individuals with cancer was borne out of personal experiences but is backed by a wealth of scientific evidence. It is my goal to ensure that all those living with or affected by a cancer diagnosis are provided with access and opportunities to participate in safe, effective, and research-based exercise programming. With this goal in mind, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program and QEII Foundation we have been offering exercise programming to members of our community since 2018. Regrettably, our grant funding is coming to an end, and we need your support to ensure that we can keep ACCESS (Activating Cancer Communities through an Exercise Strategy) running. Funds received from the QEII Foundation will support the retention of a Clinical Exercise Physiologist to ensure continued access to safe and effective exercise programs.
For every $150 raised, we can provide a 12-week, individualized, community- or virtual home-based exercise programming to an individual living with or affected by a cancer diagnosis. For those on active treatment and/or those with higher medical needs, we can provide one-on-one exercise counselling at our hospital-based dedicated cancer and exercise facility (located on the 5th floor of the Dickson Building).
On behalf of our team, we thank you in advance for your gracious support.Thank you for your support
$16.32k
Gail & Siggy Heinze-Milne
$52
CJ Blye
Amazing work Mel!
$1.02k
Alaris Equity Partners
$52
Denise
$26
Claire S
Keep fighting, Mel! ❤️ You’re so strong!!
$104
Colinda and Jay Steele
$26
Brittany D
You are a true inspiration to so many Mel! Stay strong ❤️
$52
Emily
You are amazing, Mel! ❤️ Keep fighting, your strength is absolutely inspiring!
$52
Scott Logan
You're an inspiration, Melanie!
$25
Anonymous
$104
V Howell
You never cease to amaze me. May all the energy, care, love, healing, and support you have given to others be returned to you ten-fold. Love you❣️
$52
Rick Parkins
$104
Sylvia Horricks
Think of you very often and keeping you in my prayers.
$104
Anonymous
If dollars were a cure we’d give you all that we have❤️
$52
Christina Dusome
You got this 🙏
$104
Jo Bryant
$104
Lori Dithurbide
$104
Heather and Matthew
$104
Ryder and Brody Moore
Keep going, Mel. ❤
$130
Twice in the past twenty years my husband has been treated for two different cancers. With the first he continued his exercise regime of a daily 5 km jog through 6 weeks of radiation. With his recent cancer he continued to exercise and bike ride through chemotherapy whenever he could. We and his oncologists are convinced that exercise made a difference in his ability to deal with the treatments and fight off the progression of this disease. We are thrilled to donate to the Access program so more people will get to experience the benefits exercise can make in their recovery. Gail and Siggy Heinze-Milne