My name is Nicole. I’m 36 years old. I ran in the 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5K this October as part of this year’s Gilda’s Toronto team to raise funds for the incredible programs, support, and life-changing work they do for people living with cancer and those caring for them.
On October 1, 2024, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In November 2024, a wonderful team performed my surgery to remove the tumour, and I had radiation for four weeks. They were an incredible team at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, from the radiation oncologist to the radiation technicians – I was in excellent, kind, gentle, and caring hands! It has been a whirlwind of a year, but I am feeling good and hopeful, continuing my animal rights work and volunteering at an animal shelter.
But cancer also takes a toll on your mental health. That’s where Gilda’s Toronto played a vital role – the support I got from them was invaluable, helping me with the anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis, and especially at a young age.
Gilda’s Toronto has been a rock for me throughout this past year. I knew about Gilda’s Toronto but never thought I’d be the person accessing their cancer support services. I joined shortly after my diagnosis and spent 8 weeks in an enriching and meaningful support group for young women with cancer who understood what I was going through. I also accessed the healthy lifestyle programs such as yoga and Zumba, took part in a 6-week writing workshop, and attended online plant-based nutrition demonstrations. I continue to take part in Gilda’s Toronto’s programming and cannot speak highly enough about the quality of the programs and, of course, the beautiful humans who lead, guide, and support us along the way!
I’m doing my best to live life the way I always have with curiosity, adventure, love, smiles, and laughter (humour really got me through this journey so far), and of course, my fair share of tears, as it has been challenging and terrifying to think about death and life being forever altered. I don’t take things so seriously now because this has been a second reminder in my life that life is so fragile. I’m grateful for the opportunity to participate in the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5K, which allows me to give back to Gilda’s Toronto, an organization that has given so much to me.
Help Gilda’s Toronto reach the top spot for charity fundraising during the TCS Toronto Charity Challenge.
We have until November 18, 2025, to continue raising funds for Gilda’s Toronto, and you can help us remain in the top 3 by donating to the Gilda’s Toronto team page. Help us win additional prize money from the Canada Running Series for top fundraisers!
We are currently in the top 3 for the most money raised for their organization.
Help us get to number 1! Donate Today