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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 3, 2008 - 13 Focus is key to recovery New Central reaches out Continued from page 12 Wednesday said Gilchrist of the cancer that is difficult to diagnose and lacking many overt symptoms that facilitate early diagnosis. "As such, the outcomes are not the best," said Hacking. According to Halls-Dawson, who had just resumed a lifelong interest in tap dancing that began when her own daughters were young, a continued focus on tapping helped keep her positive as she progressed through treatment. The loss of her hair and eyelashes was difficult for the woman who'd been working occasionally as a movie extra with a modelling and talent agency (if you watch closely, Halls-Dawson is in a crowd scene in The Fly starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis). And, as a member of Oakville's Happy Tappers, tap dance troupe, Halls-Dawson performs regularly throughout the community and in an annual summer jubilee held at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. "I was shocked," said HallsDawson of her diagnosis. "We'd just returned from England and I was feeling fit as a fiddle." Her immediate reaction, however, was to get the cancer out of her body, fast. After having quick surgery at Toronto General Hospital in December 2007, Halls-Dawson began chemotherapy several months later with sessions at Credit Valley Hospital every few weeks. She also participated in a trial of a new drug, which she later discontinued, but for which, she is still being monitored. Halls-Dawson said she's happy to have been part of the clinical trial because it means she's monitored more closely than had she not taken part. Hacking and Gilchrist came across her through Wellspring Halton/Peel. Though the CRDA hooks up designers with patients, Hacking volunteers at Wellspring, so a local connection was easy. Redesign began 25 years ago in New York and is making into Canada, said Gilchrist. It sees interior designers strip a room and then redesign it using furnishings, art and other items already in a home. It differs from staging, according to Hacking, as staging is about stripping and redoing a room when the owners have moved and no longer live in a home. Redesign is all about making a change while homeown- ers continue to reside in their abode. Hacking and Gilchrist met with Halls-Dawson and toured her home and then one Friday in early November, they rolled up their sleeves and went to work in Halls-Dawson's home. "They sent me away, they told me it would be a surprise," said Halls-Dawson. It's all about simplifying a room and finding the right balance, explained Hacking about the principle of redesign. For Halls-Dawson, whose bedroom the pair of redesigners simplified while adding comforting touches like a photo of Halls-Dawson's grandmother when she was a child, coping with cancer is about balance, too. By focusing on her tap dancing, which is a real passion for the Oakville resident, HallsDawson was able to remain connected to life outside of cancer treatment and had something on which to focus. "It's so important to keep active with something," said Halls-Dawson. If you are, or know, of a woman undergoing treatment, contact OCC toll-free at 1-877413-7970 to find out about the program. DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER TO FIGHT AIDS: Judy Henderson of oomama, Grandmothers to Grandmothers in support of fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa through the Stephen Lewis Foundation, lines up for breakfast at New Central Public School's Wake Up to AIDS Pancake Breakfast held on World AIDS Day -- Monday, Dec. 1. More than 150 people attended as New Central raised $1,300 to donate to Oakville's Million or More (MOMO) campaign. While oomama has also conducted educational workshops for New Central students, Monday's event helped raise awareness about the virus that affects 25 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa and approximately 33 million people worldwide. Be a Winner! Oct 29th - Nov 4th Enter these DailyWebTV Dec 3rd - Dec 9th Home & Garden Learn all the latest tips and tricks to make your home sparkle. contests. 50% 30% All All Other Brands Spanner Gelco Blue Willis City Girl Nueva and others Thursday In the Kitchen Going green in your kitchen renovations? off New Homes You should understand the importance of a floor plan when it comes to lifestyle and resale value. off Friday Saturday Real Estate The latest home trend is creating the "integrated kitchen", and taking centre stage are the sink and faucet. Health & Beauty Maintaining good oral health can reduce the risks of more serious health problems. Sunday In Motion Monday UPSCALE LADIES WEAR Winter maintenance: What needs doing and why is it important? 103 Reynolds St. Tuesday at Lakeshore Rd. E., Downtown Oakville Lifestyle & Leisure Getting involved in martial arts does more than make you active. 905.844.2510 Mon.-Wed. 10-6, Thurs.-Fri. 10-8 Sun. 12-4 Visit DailyWebTV.com to Win!