Mentoring Matters

Mentoring Matters is for younger women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 40s and under and is looking for a space to connect and learn through the lived experiences of others in the breast cancer community.

Mentoring Matters sessions are virtual community circles that give participants space to share and ask questions about the breast cancer experience and receive support from their peers. Mentors and facilitators are volunteers who have completed peer support training.

All sessions will:

• • • Feature common topics in the breast cancer community that help shape and guide the discussion.

• • • Be hosted by a panel of peers (mentors and a facilitator) who have their own lived experience to draw from, sharing their stories and answering your questions.

• • • Have an open format, meaning the people in the group will guide how the session flows. Active participation is encouraged.

• • Be a safe and inclusive space for everyone involved.

Mentoring Matters sessions are virtual, hosted on Zoom in a private room. The link to the Zoom room is different each time and is only sent out to those who have registered for the session.

The success of a Mentoring Matters session depends on the group’s dedication to creating and upkeeping a safe and gentle environment for sharing. We have created a guide for how you can help contribute to a safe space for yourself and others, which can be accessed below. We really appreciate it if you can read the guide before attending!

No. The main difference is that Mentoring Matters is led by trained peer support volunteers who have lived experience, whereas our Virtual Support Groups are led by psychotherapists and social workers from our Healing Collective. Mentoring Matters is a good place to get support from peers and build community and Virtual Support Groups are a good place to get professional psychosocial support and education.

Yes! The support you get from each program will be different, but complementary. While some topics will be the same or similar between the programs, the approach and discussion will be different. Topics for sessions are communicated ahead of time, so you can choose what kind of support you need and from where, based on your personal need.

Sign up below to receive Rethink’s emails and be the first to know about upcoming sessions and other programming. Our programming tends to fill up fast, and there is often a waitlist. Given the nature of these sessions and intention to connect, we do have to limit the number of seats available, but the sessions are ongoing, so we’re confident you’ll get in the next one!

Please cancel your registration on Eventbrite so the next person in line on the waitlist can be notified and attend the session in your place! If you have any questions or trouble doing this, please email support@rethinkbreastcancer.com.

Aya has been dedicated to the cause since her IDC diagnosis (Stage 2B, ER+, Her2-) in 2017. A Key Collaborator for Rethink, she has contributed significantly to the community — from fundraising to sharing her lived experience in research studies, panels, and interviews — all in the hope of making the next girl’s breast cancer journey a little more bearable.

Outside of Mentoring Matters, Aya is an award-winning writer, editor, and content strategist, as well as a dedicated volunteer for Sunnybrook’s Family Health Team and foster ‘paw-rent’ for six dog rescues. Aya lives in Toronto and you can follow her on social @ayamcmillan.

After months of dismissals due to her young age and lack of family history, Jen was diagnosed in 2021 with de novo stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer that had spread to her lungs and sternum. She underwent treatment at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, completing a two-year clinical trial combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy. She has remained NEAD since, an outcome she remains hopeful about.

Jen deeply understands the emotional toll of cancer and believes it must be part of the conversation. As an award-winning filmmaker and performer, she uses storytelling to amplify patient voices, challenge misconceptions, and advocate for more compassionate, patient-centered care.  @jpo_and_co

Kate was diagnosed with HR*/Her2- at ages 42 and 43 and triple negative breast cancer at 46. She volunteers as a mentor, as she needed (still needs) others with lived experience just a bit further ahead, or in the same spot, to connect with.  She thinks there is nothing quite like feeling seen, understood and validated. Outside of breast cancer, Kate binges tv series, and enjoys reading memoirs and literary fiction when she can focus and finds a good sweat in a hot yoga room a great release.  She works in child welfare and is a mom/stepmom and spouse.

Kelly was first diagnosed with stage 2b breast cancer in December 2017, then again with stage 4 in March 2020. She’s currently on her fourth line of treatment and feels pretty good. When she was first diagnosed with MBC, connecting with others really helped her to feel less alone and gave her hope, and is honoured to be a part of a program offering connection and community. A bit about me: I’m a nature enthusiast, dog mom and trying to become an avid reader.

Find Kelly on Instagram @Kellyfightslikeagirl.

Kristin was diagnosed in 2019 with stage 2 triple-positive breast cancer, and is a BRCA carrier. She is passionate about mentorship as connecting with other women with shared lived experiences was not only empowering, but also instrumental in helping her advocate for herself throughout the course of her treatment plan and beyond. Kristin has a professional background in project and change management, and is a post-secondary educator. In her spare time, Kristin and her family enjoy the outdoors, paddle boarding and hiking with their pup.

Liz was diagnosed in 2021 at 32 with stage 2 Triple Negative IDC with a BRCA1 mutation. She was motivated to become a mentor feeling isolated and unrepresented in hospital pamphlets and general Breast Cancer messaging upon diagnosis as a young, unmarried, career-driven woman. Her biggest fear upon diagnosis was how this would impact her career and delay her next promotion. In addition to being a breast cancer survivor, mentor, and advocate, Liz is an Executive Producer in advertising and film production, live-music afficionado, and sci-fi nerd. Liz is your go-to breastie for: navigating a Triple Negative diagnosis, emotions of fear and loss with respect to career, fertility, and sense of control (for all you A-type girlies!).

Margaret was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer in early pregnancy in 2019. Prior to starting chemotherapy, it was discovered that the cancer was already metastasized to the bones. Chemotherapy did proceed and after giving birth Margaret was able to receive more standard targeted treatment. Margaret wanted to join the Mentoring Matters program as a mentor because during the initial phases of her cancer experience she found stories from other patients the most helpful tool to dealing with the diagnosis. Margaret is currently a part-time tutor in math and science and trying to wrangle a 5 year old daughter to pick up all her stuffies off of the floor daily.

@mbc_in_toronto

Michelle is a two-time breast cancer survivor and advocate, who finds deep purpose in connecting with others diagnosed at a young age. Following her initial diagnosis in 2019, and through a second diagnosis in 2020, she has worked hard to help those walking a similar path. She loves working with Mentor Matters to share her wisdom and experience on living well with and past a breast cancer diagnosis.

Michelle is a journalist, busy mom of two, fibre artist and gardener. In her spare time she loves getting outside with her family – skiing, swimming and playing in the dirt are where she’s happiest.

Instagram: @mmmbutters

In 2023, at the age of 40, Sarah was diagnosed with stage 3C Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Residing on Vancouver Island with her loving husband and two children, she is a dedicated educator, artist, and passionate dragon boater. Through her treatment journey, which included chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery, she drew inspiration from the stories and experiences of other young women. This support network was invaluable, and she is now dedicated to paying it forward. Sarah joined Rethink Breast cancer as a mentor, with the goal of supporting and empowering other young women and mothers who are facing similar challenges. 

Tanya was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer at the age of 36. After undergoing chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation, and hormone therapy, she is now six years into survivorship and navigating life beyond treatment. She became involved in the community to give back to those who supported her during her journey and to help other women feel less alone. Outside of her advocacy work, Tanya is a devoted mother of two who enjoys spending time with her children, painting, and writing. 

Instagram: @TanMcL79 

Theresa Lowes was diagnosed with triple negative stage 3 cancer in October 2022 and found out she was a BRCA2 carrier after doing genetic testing. She completed chemotherapy, radiation, lumpectomy, and a double mastectomy with reconstructive and is currently in remission. 

Theresa enjoys mentoring to share her experience through her cancer journey. It makes her feel she is not the only person going through this situation and her feelings are perfectly normal. It also helps to see different points of view of a situation that she has not explored yet in her own journey. 

Theresa is a mother of three adult children and a dog mom to a rescued German Shepherd dog. She enjoys crafting and being outside with her dog. She with her husband bought a hundred year old farm house in the countryside and working to renovating it. 

You can find Theresa on Facebook and Instagram.