Key Collaborators

Amrita Shetty (she/her) loves to laugh, travel, eat lots of food and spend quality time with friends and family. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, at the time she felt alone in her journey as there weren’t many patients in the same age group as her. But during this life changing experience, she was able to meet some amazing individuals and formed much closer relationships with her family.  

After chemotherapy and surgery, she decided that she wanted to get more involved in bettering communities around Canada. Currently she works with an organization that works with experts and educators to ensure that students all across Canada are given the right tools and support to reduce victimization in and out of schools. She is most proud of the work that she does when she goes to schools and sees how students across Canada are positively impacted by the programming she delivers along with her team. Her non profit experience includes program development, strategic relationship development, grant writing, community outreach and volunteer management.  

She is very grateful for the opportunity of being able to serve the breast cancer community and is so excited to learn and support wherever possible! 

Andrea Janus (she/her) is proud to join Rethink as a new Key Collaborator and put her extensive experience with breast cancer, both as a patient and as a caregiver, to good use in helping others. Andrea was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer at age 45 after 10 years in a high-risk clinic due to an extensive family history of the disease. She is passionate about demystifying prevention and screening, as well as knowing your risk of developing breast cancer and what screening options are available. She also spent two years caring for her mother at the end of her life, which has made her want to help others navigate the end-of-life process, as well as improve palliative care for patients and establish stronger supports for family caregivers.

Andrea is a bookworm (that’s actually the name of her book club), an avid weight-lifter, cyclist and yogi, and a proud cat mama to her sweet Stevie.  

Aya McMillan, a passionate advocate for Rethink, has been dedicated to the cause since her IDC diagnosis in 2017. She has contributed significantly to the community through various fundraising campaigns and marketing initiatives; delivered a speech at a genomic health conference in Las Vegas; written countless essays for Rethink’s website; mentored peers in the Mentoring Matters program, and shared her experiences and insights in numerous research studies, panels, and interviews — all with the hope that they’ll make the next girl’s cancer journey just a little bit more bearable.

Outside of her Key Collaborator role, Aya is an editor, digital content marketer, and brand strategist. She also serves on committees for Sunnybrook’s Family Health Team and the Toronto Humane Society, and is a dedicated volunteer foster parent for six different dog rescues. Aya lives in midtown Toronto and you can follow her on social @ayamcmillan.

Carmen Powell (she / her) works as a Non Profit Manager and currently resides in Brooks, Alberta. Over 15 years of work with Alberta based charities & NPO’s allows her to lend experience in the realms of: staff and volunteer management, community outreach, program development, public relations, grant writing, and event planning. Carmen is passionate about leveraging her skills and experience to change the landscape of metastatic breast cancer in Canada, as she lost her Mom to the disease in September 2019.

Over the past 10 years, Carmen has been actively involved in advocacy and fundraising for MBC. She was a founding member of Rethink’s metastatic breast cancer advisory board and the project manager for the Pink Ribbon Project, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness and funds for MBC. She has participated in grant reviews for MBC research and patient supports, advocacy efforts around drug access and took an advisory role on the Priority Setting Partnership for Metastatic Breast Cancer led by Dr. Nancy Nixon at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. Carmen is an engaged ally who looks forward to continuing to work with the Rethink team and advisory board members to support and advocate for all those living with metastatic breast cancer.  

Caroline Falaiye is a proud mother of two wonderful daughters. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, she emerged from her journey with renewed strength and commitment to supporting others. She is deeply committed to advocating for the importance of self-advocacy in navigating the healthcare system, particularly during moments of vulnerability.  

Caroline seeks to empower others to confidently speak up for their needs throughout their care journey. Caroline collaborates with Rethink Breast Cancer to help bring attention to the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color in the cancer care community. She has done this through working on project like Uncovered and Best Health for Black Women educational events. Outside of this work, Caroline enjoys hiking, exploring new destinations, getting lost in a good book, and spending quality time with friends. 

Debbie LeGault (she/her) is the mother of Adrienne who was diagnosed at 27 with breast cancer in 2019. When Debbie went looking for resources directed at supporting mothers like her she found very few options and decided that she would begin writing about the experience from her perspective so that other mothers would find something when they went looking. She has been writing a monthly blog for Rethink since 2020 and is an active breast cancer advocate on several social media channels. With Adrienne’s permission and blessing, Debbie tries to speak to the raw, hard truths about being the mother of a young woman in her daughter’s situation as well as shining the light of hope for the future for breast cancer survivors.  

Jen Pogue (she/her) is a Canadian Screen Award winning host, creator, actor, producer, and writer. She works as the Director of Industry for the Canadian Film Fest, Producer for Filmcoop Inc, and is the creator and host of Bell Fibe TV1’s County Blooms.  

In February 2021, Jen’s world came to a screeching halt when she was diagnosed with de novo metastatic triple negative breast cancer that had spread to her lungs and sternum. She receives great care at Princess Margaret Hospital with positive results from cutting edge clinical trial-treatment, and is passionate about spreading awareness and hope for the MBC community, while bridging the gaps between research and the patient experience by sharing her story and perspectives.  

Jen is a Key Collaborator, MBC Patient Advisory Board Member, Mentor, and Speaker for Rethink Breast Cancer and spends her spare time dreaming up projects at her lakeside home in Ontario, alongside her husband and pup.  

Julia Girmenia (she/her) is a passionate advocate, dedicated traveller, and “stage 4 thriver” diagnosed at 33 with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (Her2+). Julia found healing through Rethink’s Stretch, Heal, Grow retreat, and various community programming. She is committed to changing the negative narrative surrounding life with Metastatic Breast Cancer and raising awareness about the disease. With over 15 years of experience in Canada’s charitable sector, Julia has led the delivery of high-impact initiatives focusing on arts & culture, climate action, food insecurity and women’s health. She has spoken on numerous media platforms and fundraises to inspire change and drive awareness for these important issues.

Julia is fueled by her love for adventure and connecting with people. MBC can’t stop Julia from bringing joy, energy, and a zest for life to everything she does. 

Kathryn Hum (she/her) was diagnosed with de novo MBC at the age of 40, four months after giving birth to her second child. Kat lives in Toronto with her two young children and has been receiving ongoing treatment for three years now. By sharing her journey, Kat is hoping others within the community might gain valuable insights from her experiences – the successes, challenges, and lessons learned. 

With a professional career in research management, she brings over 10 years of academic training and non-profit experience related to team leadership, community advocacy, program development, knowledge mobilization, grant writing, and fundraising/event planning. Kat is passionate about supporting research that targets MBC-related projects and advocating for health policy changes that extend and improve the quality of life for women living with MBC. 

Kat has worked with Rethink on a number of initiatives, including volunteering as a peer mentor in the Mentoring Matters program and contributing her perspective to the Rethink and Pfizer joint MBC RFP, and has recently become a Key Collaborators and MBC advisor. 

Keturah Layne (she/her) has a passion for giving back. Cancer has affected several close family members, most recently, her younger sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the primary caregiver, she saw firsthand the toll cancer takes and was moved to find a way to contribute and align with an organization that supports women with cancer. 

Over the past decade, Keturah has volunteered with numerous groups and organizations in the city of Toronto including World Vision Canada, Global Medic, One Walk, Women in Data Science Toronto, Toronto-SVG Support Group, Sancta Maria House. She hosts annual Christmas and back-to-school events to support children in the community where she grew up on the island of St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Keturah brings a wealth of experience in project management, fundraising and advocacy. Keturah currently lives in Toronto, Ontario and works full time as a Senior Manager, Americas Project Management Office in a global fintech organization. 

Kira Page (she/her) is excited to bring her experience and skills to the task of transforming what is possible and available for breast cancer patients in Canada.  
 
Based in Montreal (Tio’Tia:ke), but hailing originally from the west coast, she herself had a de novo diagnosis of metastastic breast cancer at 32 years old. Kira brings a passion for community organizing and social justice work, particularly in the areas of migrant justice, intimate partner violence and the climate crisis. Her professional background is working with nonprofit and public service organizations to become healthier, more equitable, and more effective organizations. 

Kristin Matheson (she/her) is excited to use her knowledge and expertise to support fellow members of the breast cancer community. Based in Vancouver, BC, Kristin has a professional background in project and change management. She is also a post-secondary educator, teaching courses in the business sector. Diagnosed in 2019, Kristin joined the Rethink Team as an EBC advocate and is presently a Mentoring Matters mentor. She also contributes to several research initiatives, and works with the “Patient as Teacher” program at the University of Toronto. In her spare time, Kristin and her family enjoy the outdoors, paddle boarding, kayaking and hiking. 

Coming soon!

Coming soon!

Maja Adolfo-Piwek (she/her) was diagnosed with stage 3C Triple Negative Metaplastic Breast Cancer in 2018, forcing her to dive head-first into the world of breast cancer. After going through treatment and finding out she was a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation, Maja began sharing her story on social media to connect with others and shed light on TNBC and ended up founding a TNBC Canadian support group on Facebook. She has become a familiar face in the community as a breast cancer advocate, dancehall dancer and cat-lover!

Maja’s work in breast cancer advocacy largely involves her breaking barriers for other Filipino and Hispanic women going through similar experiences, as she knows first-hand the barriers BI&POC women can face in the healthcare system and how TNBC impacts them. As a part of this work, Maja proudly participated in Uncovered: A Breast Recognition Project, Rethink’s resource that aims to highlight and amplify the experience of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour with breast cancer. Maja is extremely passionate about raising her voice and advocating for others in the TNBC community and the larger BI&POC community, who can be at a higher risk of being diagnosed with TNBC. 

Mara Ramirez (she/her) is passionate about improving the experiences of people in the cancer community. Excited for her new role as a Key Collaborator with the Rethink Breast Cancer team, Mara brings over 15 years of experience in finance and business has been recognized for her leadership and mentorship within Hispanic communities across Canada. Her journey with breast cancer began on April 1, 2021, when she was diagnosed with ER-/PR-/HER2+ breast cancer. Integrating naturopathy alongside her oncology treatments. Mara underwent a full radical mastectomy and reconstruction, navigating a change to Triple Negative cancer and further chemotherapy. Her challenging experience ignited her drive to advocate for better treatment options and accessibility for younger women, which she channels into her work with Rethink. Outside of her professional and advocacy roles, Mara treasures her time as a wife to Johnnier and mother to Angel and Anabella, finding fulfilment in teaching her family to live purposefully and leave a meaningful legacy. 

Margaret Loniewska is a patient advocate that has been living with triple positive metastatic breast cancer since being diagnosed while pregnant in October 2019. Margaret completed her doctorate degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at University of Toronto and was working on certification in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs before her diagnosis. 

Margaret became an active advocate shortly after her diagnosis for more patient involvement in research, for better cancer data in Canada (especially recurrence data) and for improvement in drug access for Canadians. She is a member of the MBC Advisory Board for ReThink Breast Cancer.  

Margaret lives in Toronto, Canada with her supportive husband, daughter Marianna and rescue dog, Lucky. 

Melyssa Hollister is a wife and mother of four – a 16-year-old girl and three boys aged 13, 11 and 9. A sweet dog named Linus rounds out their family. She has a master’s in education with a focus on early literacy and was an elementary school teacher for many years. In 2021, she changing careers and became a real estate agent.  

Melyssa was diagnosed with early-stage DCIS and triple negative breast cancer at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and faced the challenges of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation alone because of hospital restrictions. In addition to joining Rethink’s TNBC Advisory Committee, Melyssa has recently joined a University Health Network advisory board looking at ways people diagnosed with cancer can help navigate treatment options and resources with respect to their diagnosis, treatment and recovery.  

Melyssa loves trying new restaurants and finding local hidden gems! She also has a passion for art and architecture hence the change to real estate – following her passions been a silver lining on the other side of cancer.  

Michelle Friesen (she/her) is a two-time breast cancer survivor, passionate advocate, volunteer and community builder, who finds deep purpose, meaning and healing in helping other young women diagnosed with breast cancer. From the early days of her initial diagnosis, and through a second diagnosis the following year, she has worked hard to connect with other women walking a similar path and is a proud founder of the Southern Alberta Breasties – a 300-member strong support group of other young Albertans living with and beyond breast cancer.

A Maritimer now living in Calgary, Michelle is raising her young family while juggling a demanding journalism career, several vegetable gardens, weekly trips to the thrift store, and a small fibre arts business. To really relax, she loves whipping up a batch of homemade soup to eat while watching bad reality television or getting lost in a good book. 

Nicole McRonney-Apaw (she/her) is just an Aries girl living and working in Toronto, ON. She was diagnosed with breast cancer just two days before she was meant to take off on a much-needed month-long trip to Puerto Vallarta. The trip was cancelled and she spent the next 16 months receiving treatment at PMCC for her stage 2 Her2+ ER+ BC. Nicole has a love for pop culture and her favourite shows to watch include RuPaul’s Drag Race and Survivor. Nicole likes singing in the shower, baking treats to eat because #girldinner, and has two dog nieces named Honey and Coco plus a cat niece Luna. Her favourite thing to eat is pizza because pizza is life, and she has seen The National play live more times than she can count. When Nicole is not working for the #MentalHealthIsHealth movement, Nicole can be found on FaceTime with one of her friends or on a plane somewhere.  

Robby Spring is an experienced professional in health innovation, commercialization, and public affairs, holding a BSc in Medical Biophysics, an MSc in Neuroscience, and an MHSc in Translational Research. Robby has over 15 years of experience across academia, hospital, government, and industry in the health and life sciences sector. Her recent experience as a breast cancer patient and care partner to her mom and sister, who also had breast cancer, has enriched her perspective on the healthcare system. Leveraging her professional background and personal insights, Robby is committed to making significant contributions as an advisor focused on patient engagement as well as improving and increasing the adoption of health technologies. 

Suzanne Horvath is an enthusiastic Key Collaborator and member of Rethink’s MBC Advisory Board. With a professional career in education, Suzanne brings over 20 years of experience as a teacher and later administrator in the public school system. In November 2016, Suzanne was diagnosed de novo with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Being new to the community, she was fortunate to connect with Rethink and women like her through “Stretch, Heal, Grow” and online support. She values the friendships and connections she has made with women all across Canada.

In 2022, Suzanne approached Rethink with an idea she had about peer support for those in the Breast Cancer community. Together they developed “Mentoring Matters” which is a volunteer-led initiative fuelled by time-honoured traditions in the breast cancer space: giving back and supporting others. She has also been working in the “Patient as Teacher” program at the University of Toronto sharing her experience with medical students to facilitate stronger patient focused healthcare. As a wife to Tony and mother to Sienna and Topher, Suzanne feels the greatest gift she has is the time she spends with them and members of her extended family.  

Tabitha Holman is an elementary school teacher from Toronto and mother of two busy boys (ages 5 and 2). She found a lump while breastfeeding, but she faced many hurdles to get it checked out properly. She was diagnosed while on maternity leave with De Novo ER-/PR-/HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer at the age of 40. Now one year into her diagnosis, she has been focusing on advocacy, including co-creating “Laugh for a Cure” and supporting research and clinical trials for Metastatic Breast Cancer coming to Canada. Having felt lost at the time of diagnosis, Tabitha knows how important community and connection are for those facing MBC. Tabitha enjoys being active, art, socializing, and travelling. 

Vesna Zic-Côté became a patient advocate after her diagnosis with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer in 2017, which was preceded by an early-stage diagnosis four years earlier. She quickly realized how much could be gained with a better understanding of the patient’s lived experience. Prior to this, Vesna worked as a Registered Nurse for 19 years in Community Health. Vesna’s been part of many collaborations, campaigns and projects in the breast cancer space. She’s shared her story with a wide audience, being especially grateful to Rethink Breast Cancer who’ve often amplified and supported her efforts. She’s a public speaker, established fundraiser, published author and dedicated volunteer to a young person’s breast cancer collective in Ottawa.

Outside of her cancer story, Vesna fills her days cheering her family at the hockey rink or concert hall, spending time in nature with her favourite dogs or playing in Ottawa’s local film scene. Her camera is ever ready to document the joys in her life. Vesna’s able to do all of these things with an unapologetically hopeful heart while being in active treatment that keeps the cancer (relatively) stable.