Kendra S.

Kendra is a breast cancer survivor who became a CanCare volunteer in 2016. Kendra's position with CanCare has been transformative in ways she didn't expect. Through listening to other breast cancer patients and their experiences, she finds that it helps her heal as well—something she wasn't anticipating when she first began volunteering.

One of Kendra's most memorable moments involved her CanCare friend Landra, who had an incredibly difficult treatment plan. During a call, Landra was struggling with her adult daughter's comment to "be strong." Landra told Kendra she was just so sick and weak and didn't know how to be strong. Kendra simply told her it was okay to feel whatever she was feeling—if she felt sick and weak, that was okay. She didn't need to fight those feelings because in time, maybe not tomorrow but perhaps the following day or next week, she might feel stronger. But it was okay to FEEL what she was feeling.

Landra still thanks Kendra for that conversation, saying it lifted a weight off her shoulders. Through their relationship, Kendra has learned so much from Landra, whom she describes as "a rock," and feels thankful to have been matched with her.

When asked about how CanCare impacted her life... My role with CanCare has been remarkable. Through listening to other breast cancer patients and their experiences, I find it helps me heal a little as well. I was not expecting that. For someone considering volunteering, I would say volunteering has become part of my own healing.

My words to pass along to anyone facing cancer... Everyone's cancer journey is different. Even with the same diagnosis and treatment plan, the journey itself is unique. Never compare your journey to anyone else's. If you live in fear of recurrence, cancer has won regardless of pathology. It's incredibly helpful to reach out to someone who has already been right where you are now—take advantage of their experiences.

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