Today something beautiful was born and
officially introduced to the world!
Vixens Victorious – a fundraising
organization, co founded with my childhood friend, Jennifer; is comprised of an
incredibly talented and dedicated group of women who we have met and worked
with over the years. We support the
Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation by raising awareness and much needed funds to
support research, clinical trials and vital programs that are made available to people whose
lives have been impacted by cancer, within our community.
Why do I liken to a birth of a child?
Cancer is an ugly thing. In addition to my own challenges during the
last year and a half, I witnessed others around me. In the chemo unit, I watched others who,
while receiving treatment, seemed not to be handling it well, physically or
emotionally. Last summer, I lost a
former employer and friend to cancer.
Later in October, I watched a young family bury a fellow vixen and just
recently, attended a visitation on Monday for a friend whose father lost his
battle with cancer. I spoke with friends
have been tested and some diagnosed with the dreaded c word. They confided in me their darkest thoughts
and fears. Hearing someone you care
about tell you they would prefer to “run away and die alone” is gut wrenching
but when you have walked in their shoes, you understand.
But there is a positive side. I have told you many times that cancer has
changed my life…and for the better. I
want to help. I want to do something
meaningful. As my chemo ended, I started
to ponder about how I could give back to the community and the Cancer
Foundation, which has given so much to me.
In the fall of 2014, Jennifer approached me with the idea of a film festival
and Vixens Victorious was born.
This tour is not what I expected it to
be. At the start, I wanted to receive
treatment, get well and move on; with a little rock n roll flair and humor along
the way. If you would have told me; that
I would be launching a fundraiser in 2015, I would have rolled my eyes. And yet here I am.
In fact when Christian was in town for my
last chemo, he encouraged me to consider starting a fundraiser or non-profit….and
I think I did roll my eyes at him.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I
was afraid to tell Jennifer. Her mother
had lost her battle to pancreatic cancer only a month earlier. She had been diagnosed just 8 weeks
before! It was a difficult and
frustrating process for Jennifer and at that point, she and her siblings were
still in the process of settling affairs.
I didn’t want to add to her emotions, burdens or stress. If you would have told me in August 2013,
that Jennifer and I would be putting on a film festival to raise funds for the
community, I would not have believed you.
Our committee is comprised of women that we
have met over the years. We have former
colleagues – I worked with Vivian at Holt Renfrew over 10 years ago. Paula and I worked together six years
ago. Team Captain Meta was a no brainer,
as was my colleague Pam. But I have
always admired these women and they are an incredible addition to our team. Emily has worked with Jennifer for a long
time and her connections and talents will make the film selection amazing. We have other friends – I have known Brigitte
the least longest but we hit it off right away and I am so happy that she
decided to join us. And we are so lucky to have friends such as
Laura, Moreen and Anne who are contributing to the cause as well. Again, if you would have told me in August
2013 that these amazing women would meet, come together and commit the level of
time and energy we expect from them in order to make Lights! Camera! CURE! a success,
I would have said “not likely.”
www.vixensvictorious.ca
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