Source: photo via Ryan Emberley
September 24th marked the One Life Gala’s Fundraiser for the Magic Castle at The Princess Margaret where Jules Whish, a patient herself, attended on behalf of our team.
Here’s her personal story…
At this time last year, I never thought I’d be talking about how much The Princess Margaret means to me and its impact on my life in such a short amount of time. I had never been to The Princess Margaret or thought it would be somewhere I’d be going every week (especially at this time in my life).
Source: photo via Ryan Emberley
It was the scariest day of my life when I was diagnosed with stage four Cholangiocarcinoma last October. Our family was devastated by this unexpected news and how many unknowns came along with a cancer diagnosis. I was planning our son’s second birthday, which would take place less than two weeks later.
I remember sitting in my doctor’s office and him telling me that we had been referred to The Princess Margaret. One thing I knew for sure was that was the place to get treatment, and I knew I’d be dealing with the best of the best. That statement could not ring more true after my (almost) one year of being treated there.
The care I have received at The Princess Margaret has been beyond outstanding. I have an incredibly kind and compassionate oncologist, and every person I encounter has been amazing. From the administrative staff to the chemo nurses, every person has positively impacted my journey. I do my best to tell them this every time I’m there because they deserve all the praise and much more.
Source: photo via Ryan Emberley
In 2022, I completed 18 rounds of chemotherapy treatments. As you can imagine, many of my days are spent at The Princess Margaret. Between bloodwork, scans, meeting with my oncologist, and chemo, The Princess Margaret is my second home.
One Life Gala to Raise Money for Magic Castle at The Princess Margaret
When Style Canada invited my incredible husband and me to the ‘One Life’ gala, we were beyond excited! We couldn’t wait to get all dressed up for a cause that is incredibly important to us. Having a young son during a cancer diagnosis comes with many challenges, and The Magic Castle will become an exceptional place for our family. Our goal is to ensure our son Otis can enjoy life to its fullest, know that he has support as he grows, and learn more about how big of a part cancer will play in our lives.
Source: photo via Ryan Emberley
Cancer Survivors told their Stories
We had such a wonderful time at the event. Hearing the stories of cancer survivors was beyond inspiring, and many tears were shed. We related to everyone’s journeys and left feeling so much hope for the future. I was lucky enough to meet and chat with the CEO/President of The Princess Margaret Miyo Yamashita; she was incredibly kind and compassionate. This was the highlight of our night, and I felt grateful to be able to tell her how much of an impact The Princess Margaret has had on my family and me.
Source: photo via Ryan Emberley
This Thursday, I will be back in my chemo chair, and like every other treatment, I will feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to have the opportunity to be treated at one of the top five cancer centres in the world. And I may wear my sparkle boots!
