The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 20, 2006 - 11 Breast cancer survivor promotes Yard Sale for the Cure By Wilma Blokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Thinking of holding a yard sale now that the spring weather has arrived? Joanne Stevenson wants you to think about joining Yard Sale for the Cure (YSC) on May 27, a fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, starting at 8 a.m. Stevenson, mother of two teenage sons aged 19 and 13, is a two-time breast cancer survivor who is featured in this spring's Look Good Feel Better magazine, a publication aimed at enhancing the appearance and wellbeing of women with cancer. The Oakville mom was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 2003 and first in 1993 when she was 37. She discovered her first cancer, a lump under her arm while writing a letter to Chatelaine magazine requesting pink ribbons to support a friend who was fighting breast cancer at the time. The IN THE PINK: Joanne Stevenson, left, and her Yard Sale for the Cure committee from left are Allison Defazio, Marlene Gamble and Carolyn Feric. lump did not show up in a lashes during chemotherapy. mammogram. Stevenson had In the fall of 2004, detera lumpectomy, chemotherapy mined not to look for feel and radiation. Ten years later, sick, she attended a Look she felt the second lump in Good Feel Better workshop at her right breast. This led to Wellspring Halton Peel. The 50-year-old is a memtwo mastectomies, of Oakville's chemotherapy and recon- ber structive surgery. She was off work for 15 months she is director of leasing for GWL Realty Advisors in Mississauga and had lost all of her hair, eyebrows and eye- Wonderbroads dragon boat team. The 20-member team including breast cancer survivors will compete in dragon boat races June 10 in Mississauga and June 24 at Toronto Island. "We also have a team in the Relay for Life on June 2 and I've participated in the Survivor Victory lap." Stevenson got involved with YSC through friends who asked her to be a local spokesperson. She and her husband Ken are friends with Carolyn and Mike Feric their sons play on the same hockey team. The Ferics are also friends with Rachael Smith Rachael, who is also a breast cancer survivor, started Yard Sale for the Cure last year. The Smiths engaged the friends and neighbours in Toronto and 350 homes participated in a one-day sale raising $40,000 for breast cancer research. "Each and every one of us will be touched by cancer in one way or another," wrote Stevenson on the YSC Web site. "Because of cancer research and medical advances I am one of the lucky ones that is still here. I get to see my boys grow. I get to share the love and laughter of being with family and friends. I get to hear the birds sing. I get to smell the spring air. I get another chance, a chance to help make a difference. By participating in YSC I am helping them bring hope to others." Registrations have been held at HomeSense, one of the event's co-sponsors, and more registrations will be taken at event co-sponsor Re/Max Aboutowne Realty, 418 North Service Rd. E. It can also be done online at www.yardsaleforthecure.com. A fee of $15 gives participants a YSC T-shirt, signs and pink balloons. Impr ove your Quality of Life with Better Hearing CALL US TODAY! For a limited time with hearing aid pur chase YOUR NO CHARGE SER VICE PACKAGE OFFER INCLUDES: PACKAGE JOIN US! SATURDAY JUNE 17, 2006 BRONTE CREEK PARK Registration between 8:30 & 9:30 am · Hearing Test · Hearing Aid Recommendations · Computerized Hearing Aid Programming and Verification · Office Service Under Manufacturer's Warranty · No Trial Fees - 60 Day Trial Satisfaction Guaranteed or a Full Refund SINCE 1995 627 LYONS LANE, SUITE 203, OAKVILLE 905-339-1397 Andrew Audia Hearing Instrument Specialist for our 4th annual Marshall Chasin Audiologist Also offering: All major brands of hearing aids. Repairs to most makes and models. Assessment and Verification of your existing hearing aids. WALK OR RUN day of healing FOR BREAST CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES focusing on healing and wellness throughout the morning Join us for a Run/Walk 10K, 5K, 1K and our newest addition a 1K Healing Walk lead by Dr. Cindy Yixin Zhang (MD China). She will show how to incorporate Qigong into your journey to help increase the flow of oxygen to your body restoring optimum health. Join us at Bronte Creek Park all in support of Breast Cancer Support Services. ARE YOU CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH ALZHEIMER DISEASE? DO YOU NEED A BREAK? We may be able to help! GREAT PRIZES Alliance Chiropody (Foot Care) Clinic Member of Alliance Healthcare Professionals Inc. "Providing quality foot care to meet all your foot health needs" SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST AMERICAN EXPRESS EXPRE Specializing in: · Foot/Arch Pain · General/Diabetic Care · Permanent Ingrown Toenail Removal · Custom Made Foot Orthotics P T-Shirts will be given to the first 250 entrants Incentive Prizes · $75 or more in pledges - Golf Shirt · $150 or more in pledges - Gift Certificate for one of the following Healing Treatments: Massage, Rieki, Therapeutic Touch, etc. Grand Prize for most money raised Door Prizes With $50 in pledges received For Information on the Walk/Run Healing your registration will be free Day and to receive an Information Package, Please Call: Nora's House Respite Care The Alzheimer Society of Peel is now providing respite care in central Mississauga; Nora's House is custom designed for the support, safety and enjoyment of all who stay. It provides caregivers with the opportunity to take a much needed break. Nora's House offers 24 hour care to individuals with Alzheimer Disease in a home like setting, with stays of up to 2 weeks. Caregivers will have peace of mind knowing their family member will be cared for by qualified professionals; staff are specially trained to care for and be sensitive to the needs of the clients and families we serve. For more information on Nora's House and how to access this service, please call us at (905) 278-3667 905-634-2333 lstevenson@breastcancersupport.org Help us by donating a bag of used clothing on the day of the Run/Walk. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Blair Lancaster's SPA & MODELING AGENCY CALL 905-845-2291 232 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD E. OAKVILLE Propell DenBok Landscaping Brenda McKinley SALES REPRESENTATIVE Alzheimer Society of Peel 60 Briarwood Ave. Mississauga, ON L5G 3N6