In 2003, a year after being told that a lump on my left arm was benign, I felt further discomfort and doctors decided the lump should be removed – after originally having a misdiagnosis, it turned out the lump was positive and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 malignant melanoma. In 2005, the cancer had propagated into my left lung, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland.

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Having received the only available treatment option in B.C at the time, my prognosis was not good and I was given six months to live. With limited support from the medical community, my family researched options and we were able to find a trial treatment. After completion of the drug protocol, the tumors diminished. But, then in 2007 a 9 cm mass was found in my bowel.

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After surgery, I was put on a new clinical trial. After completing the treatment, a PET scan showed a small tumor in my right kidney. Given my medical history, it was decided that the kidney be removed in January of 2009. Since 2009 I have been cancer free. Today, I am a little scarred…a little worn…but ALIVE and living an incredibly healthy, happy life.