Cassidy's story
Cassidy London’s life took an unexpected turn when she discovered a lump in her breast while taking a shower. A week after getting the lump checked by her doctor, Cassidy received the devastating news: she had luminal A breast cancer.
The first few months after her diagnosis were difficult. It was overwhelming to understand her diagnosis while trying to navigate the challenges of explaining it to her two children. She kept wondering if she’d be there for her kids.
Cassidy was determined to take back control over her circumstances. So, she chose the way she knew best: writing.
I felt out of control, and I needed something to help me feel in control. As an author, writing was the way to do that. I wanted to get across that when women go through difficulties, cancer or otherwise, facing them in an empowered way will help us get the results we want.
Cassidy began writing the charity anthology titled 'Fight Like a Girl.' This series comprises 25 short stories across various romance genres, each featuring strong and resilient women facing their own challenges in an uplifting way. 100% of the royalties from the anthology go toward breast cancer research, with 50% going directly to the Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure.
A week after her last radiation treatment, Cassidy celebrated the positive end to a difficult year of treatment by participating in the CIBC Run for the Cure 2023. A month leading up to the Run 2023, Cassidy gathered a group of close friends and family and together, they began fundraising for breast cancer research.
“When you’re going through cancer, you feel very alone. To see so many Participants of Hope and to be able to walk amongst them was really moving. It made me emotional to see that I wasn’t alone,” Cassidy reflects on her first Run experience.
Cassidy is currently cancer-free and is receiving oral chemo and hormone therapies to prevent a recurrence. She strongly believes that the treatment she currently benefits from is only possible because of the years of research that preceded it. In the last thirty years, research has discovered new breast cancer types.
Research saves lives. I would not be here without it. The more they figure out, the better treatments we can get. And that means more survivors. It is because of all your fundraising and support that we can make such a big difference to the cause. Research has come a long way, but we still have so much work to do. We must continue every year to push forward.
Help change the future of cancer this Daffodil Month
The daffodil is resilient. It is the first flower to bloom in the spring, and for those living with cancer, a symbol of hope. This Daffodil Month, the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is inviting people across Canada to rally together around the daffodil to show their support and help people with cancer live longer, fuller lives.
Donating to the Canadian Cancer Society is the most impactful way to support people living with cancer and change the future of cancer forever. As the largest charitable funder of cancer research, CCS-funded researchers are helping prevent cancer, enhancing screening, diagnosis and treatment, and ensuring people diagnosed with cancer can live longer, fuller lives.
Cancer is an issue that affects us all. 2 in 5 people in Canada are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. We know that to take on something as big as cancer, it takes all of us. This Daffodil Month, help hope bloom for those affected by cancer.