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Stories of Canadians Living with Cancer

Cancer immunotherapy works by helping the body’s own immune system fight certain kinds of cancers.

Cancer affects everyone in different ways, and there is a real person behind each diagnosis – in the stories below, you will meet real Canadians living with cancer and learn about their journeys.

The following is part of a series that highlights cancer patients who have been treated (or are being treated) with cancer immunotherapy/ies, sometimes in combination with other cancer treatments. Each patient’s journey is different, and outcomes are not the same for everyone. As with any drug or medical treatment, cancer immunotherapy can result in side effects.

Sylvain

From Diagnosis to Avid Runner

When diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Sylvain was given a one per cent chance of living two years – since then, he has undergone invasive surgery and various treatments, including cancer immunotherapy. In the fall of 2019, after training for several years, he fulfilled a lifelong dream – he completed a marathon in New York City with his wife.

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Cancer immunotherapy works by helping the body’s own immune system fight certain kinds of cancers.

Cancer affects everyone in different ways, and there is a real person behind each diagnosis – in the stories below, you will meet real Canadians living with cancer and learn about their journeys.

Shannon

From Cancer to Motherhood and Beyond

After multiple cancer diagnoses and three miscarriages, Shannon had made the difficult decision not to have a child, knowing that the child could grow up without a mother. However, after numerous surgeries and treatments she now has an eight-year-old daughter. This is one woman’s story of treatment, motherhood, and moving forward.

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Additional Stories

Below you will find additional stories of Canadians living with cancer

Everyone’s cancer is different – you have to think about your options

Barrie Kellett

Barrie

A father of three and grandfather of five, Barrie Kellett has lived with bladder cancer since 2016. After various treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, he started cancer immunotherapy, becoming a vocal advocate for the latter and helping others through their own journeys with cancer. During treatment, he kept busy with renovation projects around the house.

Emotionally, it’s traumatic – you think of your family

Jean McIntee

Jean

Doctors diagnosed Jean with stage-four lung cancer in January 2017. The proud wife, mother, and grandmother was told she had approximately 12 months to live, and began chemotherapy, before eventually starting cancer immunotherapy. Today, she is hopeful and grateful for every moment.

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Cancer treatment, at a glance infographic

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