Despite her obstetrician/gynecologist’s belief that her rash of symptoms was caused by an ovarian cyst, Cynthia Bradburn had a gut feeling that it was something more serious. When she attended an Ovarian Cancer Canada Listen to the Whispers awareness presentation at her workplace, “I cried and came out of there convinced I had ovarian cancer.”
At age 33, the newlywed, who was trying to start a family with her husband Jay, was right about her feelings. In May of 2009, Cynthia underwent surgery to remove a 20 cm tumour and her reproductive organs. She was diagnosed with stage IIc ovarian cancer and much to everyone’s surprise, it was discovered that she also had stage Ib uterine cancer.
Before her surgery, Cynthia and Jay were fortunate to complete a cycle of in vitro fertilization. “We are extremely lucky to have embryos waiting for us when we are ready to use them,” says Cynthia. When the time is right for the Bradburns to begin their family, a close friend has offered to carry the couple’s child.
“It means the world to us that our friend and her husband have kept our dream alive of one day being a Mom and Dad to our own child. They truly are our angels.”
Following her surgery in May of 2009, Cynthia underwent six rounds of chemotherapy. While still in treatment, the young resident of Burlington, Ontario decided that she “needed to do something to raise awareness about this disease – particularly among my age group.”
Cynthia considered hosting a Mini Winners Walk of Hope but decided it would be a good idea to attend a national walk first. She registered a team for the Toronto 2009 walk and invited her family, friends and colleagues to join Walk the Talkers.
More than 50 people signed on and Cynthia had to revise her original $1,000 team goal many times. By the time the walk occurred in September, Walk the Talkers was the number one non-corporate team of fundraisers at the Toronto Winners Walk of Hope – raising over $18,600!
“I knew I had support but I had no idea I could rally that many people to work with me,” says Cynthia. “It was comforting and quite overwhelming. I’m so proud of the amazing job that my team did.”
As she approaches the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis, Cynthia is back to her job and she is feeling well. On September 12, she will host a Mini Walk that spans the communities of Oakville and Burlington.
“Organizing this Mini Walk is going to help me in my quest to raise as much awareness as I can,” she says. “It will give me a sense of pride and I’ll know I’ve done one more thing to raise awareness of ovarian cancer in my community.
“Ovarian cancer may have changed my life, but I am determined to not let it ruin my life. I’ve learned that life has no guarantees, so I’m living each of my days to the fullest and I’m living without regrets. Anything that’s within my control, I’m going to take it and run with it.”
Photo Captions:
Cynthia Bradburn with husband Jay, beaming proudly after receiving the top non-corporate team prize at the 2009 Toronto Winners Walk of Hope.
Cynthia surrounded by her team, Walk the Talkers