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Cancer survivor lives in the present with hope for the future continued from p.1 They raise awareness of the success of cancer research to encourage people to continue participating in Terry Fox Runs until a cure for cancer is found. Fuoco-Dunn says she loves life and is in "no way done here yet." "Being slightly stubborn and competitive in nature, I'm not going to let cancer win," she said. Fuoco-Dunn has metastatic cancer stemming from an earlier battle with osteosarcoma -- the cancer Fox had. Cancer cells have invaded both her lungs and, more recently, her brain. She's unsure how long she'll survive, but is determined to live by the inspirational message Fox left in his Marathon of Hope journey 36 years ago to raise funds for cancer research. "I don't feel that this is unfair. That's the thing about cancer. I'm not the only one, it happens all the time to people. I'm not special. This just intensifies what I did. It gives it more meaning. It'll inspire more people. I just wish people would realize that anything's possible if you try; dreams are made possible if you try," said Fuoco-Dunn, quoting Fox. To give people perspective on Fuoco-Dunn's "cancer career," she describes fighting rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare tumour in her connective muscle tissues, at the age of three, thyroid cancer at the age of 18 and a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour in her leg. At 29, just when she thought things were going good as she completed her last year of law school, doctors discovered pre-cancerous fibroids in her uterus and leiomyosarcoma on her kidney. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare condition that puts her at heightened risk for many forms of cancer. "It carries with it a nearly 100 per cent risk of developing cancer in your lifetime and for many affected individuals like myself, it involves having multiple cancers. Although the news wasn't great, at least it explained why I was having so many bouts with this treacherous disease." More recently, she has had surgery to remove osteosarcoma in her neck, in the same spot as her childhood cancer, as well as reconstructive surgery of her neck. At age 32, as cancer spread to her lungs, she was told it was incurable. "When it comes to cancer, one of the biggest challenges is the uncertainty, the loss of control over our bodies, our minds and our lives," she said. let the cancer consume me or I can choose to pick up the pieces and move on." She focuses now on her health and sharing her cancer experience through her blog Cancer Girl Smiles, whose tagline is "Today, I decide to live." Although she isn't practising law, she added she's using her legal skills to advocate for cancer research and cancer patients. "I'm just doing what I think everyone would do in the face of adversity -- simply aiming to live the best I can with the hand I was dealt," FuocoDunn said, noting cancer has given her focus, empathy and perspective. She added she continues to hope for a new drug treatment that will help her live longer. She hopes she'll see a cure for cancer. She hopes to grow old with her husband. Fuoco-Dunn's story resonated with residents, businesses and organizations that gathered at the annual Team Up for Terry Fox breakfast event. It served as inspiration and motivation, encouraging attendees to help raise funds for the upcoming Terry Fox Run at Coronation Park Sept 18. The kickoff is held in April each year to mark the start of Terry Fox's cross-Cananda Marathon of Hope. This year marks the 36th year the run has taken place in Oakville. With no entry fee or minimal required donation, participants are encouraged to celebrate and honour their loved ones while raising money for cancer research by walking, biking, boarding, blading, running, pushing a stroller or walking the dog along the lakeside in two-kilometre, 5-km or 10-km routes. They will be lined with lawn posters remembering loved ones who have died of cancer. The event also featured keynote speaker Dr. Sheila Singh, Associate Professor and Pediatric Neurosurgeon and Canada Research Chair in Human Cancer Stem Cell Biology at McMaster University's Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute. Singh is a Terry Fox Foundation-funded researcher in advanced brain tumour research and treatment. Ward 1 Town Councillor Ralph Robinson was recognized with a plaque for playing an active role in Oakville's Terry Fox Run over the years. He chaired it for 25 years. Organizers are challenging the community to raise $182,000 -- $1 for every Oakville resident. Last year, the event raised $117,000. To register, visit terryfox.org or call 1-888-836-9786. 5 | Friday, April 8, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Dr. Sheila Singh "And for someone who is facing an incurable or metastatic disease, this is even a greater uncertainty. The uncertainty of whether the cancer will stabilize, how long will we live and living essentially from scan to scan because people with metastatic cancer live in three-month increments." Fuoco-Dunn doesn't sugarcoat her experiences. It hasn't been easy and there have been very difficult periods. "But in the end, I realized this was it. This was my life, for better or for worse. I could either stop living and Thinking of Retiring... Someday? Let's Talk. A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist Visit our website to sign up for a free consultation. 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