Woman of hope
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Fighter and activist Susan Glynn says it’s time to bring attention to the most fatal women’s cancer in Canada.
“When I was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer, my doctor suggested joining a support group,” said Glynn. “I went online, and the only group I could find was in Australia.”
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Fighter and activist Susan Glynn says it’s time to bring attention to the most fatal women’s cancer in Canada.
“When I was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer, my doctor suggested joining a support group,” said Glynn. “I went online, and the only group I could find was in Australia. I knew I had to change that.”
Glynn started the Facebook group called Women of Hope just last year, and already has over 1000 members.
She told The Telegram that she wanted the group to be, not only for the patient, but also for their family and friends.
“Your cancer will affect you the most,” said Glynn. “But it will also affect the people close to you, that’s why I felt like they should be included in the support group.”
Glynn stresses that people need to be made aware of this cancer.
“People don’t know enough about it,” said Glynn. “There is also a large misconception that ovarian cancer only affects older women ... it’s simply not true. I have spoken to women of all ages, all over the world who have been affected.”
Throughout Glynn’s many visits to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer clinic, she always had one major problem — parking.
“There was one day in particular, I was 45 minutes late for my appointment,” said Glynn. “I went into the clinic and started asking other patients if they had trouble finding parking, and every person there said they had.”
That’s when Glynn started an online petition on change.org asking for 25 designated parking spots for cancer patients, which now has more than 25,000 signatures.
“I don’t feel like it’s a lot to ask,” said Glynn. “One day I was in the clinic and I counted 85 other patients in there with me.”
“People are already going through the hardest time in their lives,” said Glynn. “Having the extra stress of not being able to get to their appointments on time is just not right.”
Glynn has proved time and time again that she is a fighter. On Sunday she completed her sixth Terry Fox Run.
She also completed her sixth Tely 10 run this year, and participated in her first Cape to Cabot 20k road race after just having aggressive chemotherapy, and major surgery.
“I do all of these runs to show my goddaughters a different side of cancer,” said Glynn. “They’ve seen others with cancer, and I try to always have my game face on.”
Glynn recently discovered that her cancer is back.
“I am not defined by this cancer,” said Glynn. “I am a fighter walking this path with courage.”