Almost a year ago, Joyful Packages Warrior of the Month was Shani, a beautiful 16 year old girl with Osteosarcoma.  Her answers to our questions were honest, raw, yet made us smile at the same time.

Unfortunately, On August 28th 2019 - a month shy of her 17th birthday, Shani passed away.  

Boxes will be donated throughout the month of September to the Montreal Children's hospital in Shani's name. As I write this post, we are already scheduling a first drop-off of over fifteen boxes, and will be doing a second drop off at the end of the month.. all in Shani's name and memory.

​Shani may have left us, but her memory and her zest for life will remain forever.

​

Here is a blog post that Joy wrote after treatment finished, all about the "WHAT'S NEXT"

When people ask me how I am feeling, it is usually accompanied by a “so what’s next?” 
When I was first diagnosed I had every test in the book (CT scan, MUGA scan – love that word, ultrasounds, etc.), followed by 6 months of chemo, then a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. After that was another breast surgery 6 months later, and a hysterectomy. I now have “No Evidence of Disease” or am considered “in remission” until I hit that five-year mark of being cancer free. So I am kind of in limbo. I am still very much in my cancer world, while still being able to move on with my life. So what’s next?
I currently see my oncologist every 3-4 months. This to a certain extent terrifies me.  I am happy that I do not need to see him every 2-3 weeks because that means that I’m healthy (or so my mother in law tells me when I tell her I don’t need to see him for 3 months and it makes me nervous), but it terrifies me.  The oncology department gives me a sense of calm. I see my plastic surgeon every six months for now, but after my next appointment in a few weeks I suspect that I won’t need to again so soon, unless we decide to do one more tweak. I see my oncological surgeon once a year (since my boobs are all silicone anyways, it’s close to impossible to get another lump in my breast). Finally, I see my gynecologist as needed (isn’t menopause great?). I am still doing tests every few months to make sure everything is staying as it should.
This month I have had the privilege of being invited to two Breast Cancer events. I took part recently in a fashion show for an amazing organization that raises money for breast cancer. I got to have my makeup done and wear a stunning gown. I felt like a princess. I also was asked to do a modelling shoot for an incredible clothing company. They pampered me and prepared a whole story board for my shoot. Is this what fancy celebrities feel like? I did a video for them last year while I was still in chemo, and this year they celebrated me as a survivor. 
So what’s next? Well, I get to live my life. I am back at work full time and am enjoying every second.  I am back in dance mom mode, as my daughter is not only competing with her team this year, but will be competing as a solo as well. As my hair is growing, I am discovering new hairstyles that I can do. And lastly, I am preparing for a very exciting event in January – my mastectomy tattoo that an incredibly generous and talented tattoo artist has gifted me with. So I am still in my cancer world, while also being in my “normal world”. I am enjoying life, but also enjoying the comfort of seeing my brilliant oncologist. I am learning how to be “me” again.  

​Joy

We are so honoured to have had some wonderful warriors.  With so many sick children, we will be using the proceeds for the next little while to donate boxes to the Montreal Children's Hospital.

We will still go forward with the warrior program in the future so if you would like to nominate yourself or someone else, please do not hesitate to contact us!

When were you diagnosed and at what age? 
I was diagnosed at age 34, in March 2017.

What type of cancer?
Triple positive breast cancer

Who or what has been your biggest motivator?
My children! Having to make sure I stay healthy for them was the biggest motivator rme to kick cancer's ass!

What advice would you give people who are early stages of their diagnosis?
The best advice I would give anyone is to stay as positive as you possibly can. Having a negative mind will impact your well being and how you recover, yet will not change the outcome. Meaning that yes, you were diagnosed with this terrible disease, but being miserable and moping all day about it will not change the fact that it is in your life and now you need to do everything you can to get healthy.  But staying positive throughout this time will help tremendously, it will set your mind up for greater things that can come from this (i.e. starting a charity, fundraising, and overall helping others get through it). Have faith that everything will turn out ok and deeply believe this with everything that you've got. 

How has cancer changed you? 
Being diagnosed changed my life by bringing new people into my life. I met so many incredible people who were just like me, mothers, friends, daughters, wives, sisters etc., who were suddenly thrown into this crazy world. It was so nice to meet other people, to be part of a community no one really wants to join, but when it happens to you, its nice to know you have so much support. 
It also made me realize that I needed to help out in any way that I could. I stated a fundraising initiative in Nov 2018, and to date have raised $13,500 for clinical trials at the Ottawa Hospital. I am looking forward to continuing my fundraising efforts. 
I never thought I would be an inspiration to others, but since my diagnosis i have had many people come to me and say I was an inspiration to them, the way that I handled everything. I have been in the media a few times to discuss breast cancer and young patients and after each appearance on tv or in the paper, I had so many people expressing that my attitude has helped them with their own life issues etc. Apparently positivity is contagious! Another bonus to being positive. 

What does fighting cancer look like for you?
The strongest of the strong, the bravest of the brave and the most resilient humans fight cancer with dignity and faith. Fighting cancer also looks like a community to me. A community rallies behind you. Families are going through it with you. Friends become sisters, strangers become friends and the bond is unbreakable.
 
A portion of our proceeds this month will be donated to the cancer charity of your choice.  Which one would you like to donate to?
Ottawa Hospital Foundation- Clinical Trial Program (ReAct Clinical trial program)

The month of February’s warrior is the incredible, strong, beautiful 6 year old Ellie. In early December 2017, Ellie was diagnosed with AML Leukemia, a rare and severe form of cancer.  In the summer of 2018 she was well enough to resume regular activities with her friends and family.  Unfortunately, soon after starting grade 1, Ellie’s AML had unfortunately returned.

As many know, the “Swab for Ellie” campaign was created, as Ellie desperately needed a bone marrow match.  The campaign went world-wide, in a desperate search to help this beautiful little girl.

Miraculously, a match was found but Ellie still has a long road ahead of her.  Within the next week Ellie will undergo her bone marrow transplant, and then will be rebuilding her immunity and recovering for several months.  We pray this is the final step in giving Ellie a long and healthy life.
​
February 4th is world cancer day, so let’s celebrate this month by fighting childhood cancers.  No child and no family should have to suffer and worry in the way that Ellie’s family has.  A portion of the proceeds from the month of February will be donated to Ellie’s charity.
​

How our founder started her Cancer Care Packages:

When were you diagnosed and at what age? 
I was diagnosed in 2016, two weeks after my 35th birthday.

What type of cancer?
​Triple Negative Stage 2 Breast Cancer. I later found out that I was a carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation.

Who or what has been your biggest motivator?
My children.  They were 3 and 6 when I was diagnosed.  The first thing I said to the doctor after being diagnosed was “Will I live to see my children grow up?”  I had to fight for them.  I could not fathom the idea of them growing up or getting married without their mother.  Life had to stay as normal as possible for them.

What advice would you give people who are early stages of their diagnosis?
Breathe.  You are in for a hell of a ride, but take a breath, and keep fighting one day at a time.  Also, keep celebrating.  It was such a dark time for our family, and we made sure to celebrate everything.  We had an end of chemo party.  We took a small vacation when the doctor allowed it.

How has cancer changed you? 
​There is not a day that goes by where I do not think about cancer.  Every ache and every pain carries a fear of my cancer coming back and metastasizing. At the same time however, I try to do more things that make ME happy.

What does recovery look like for you?
I don't truly think you can ever recover from such a thing.  Ideally recovery is filled with laughter, getting into shape, being the best "me" possible.  Right now, recovery is making steps to create a new version of myself; getting healthier day by day, and spreading awareness.  I suppose starting Joyful Packages is a big part of my recovery as I am able to step back from focusing on my own past and move forward with helping others the best to my ability.
 
A portion of our proceeds this month will be donated to the cancer charity of your choice.  Which one would you like to donate to?
The oncology department at the Jewish General Hospital.