Halifax cancer survivor raises over $250K for research over nearly 2 decades – Halifax

Over the previous twenty years, most cancers survivor Bernice Arsenault has made an unimaginable contribution to the Canadian Most cancers Society via her fundraising efforts.

Arsenault came upon via early detection that she had most cancers 20 years in the past.

“I used to be as soon as devastated once I came upon I had breast cancer after which I believed, properly you recognize what … it’s not going to take me, I’m going to take it. So I picked up a gauntlet and I’m going to assist increase cash for breast most cancers,” she stated.

Arsenault has walked yearly within the CIBC Run for the Treatment  since being recognized. On Sunday morning, joined by many lifelong family and friends members within the historic Africville Park in Halifax, Arsenault got down to full one other five-km stroll.

With palpable enthusiasm and power, Arsenault led her supporters across the trails within the park, choosing a smaller run this yr so these taking part might correctly socially distance.

Selecting this strolling floor was nostalgic for Arsenault, who additionally grew up in Africville, a small seaside village that was predominantly Black Canadians. Within the Seventies, as a result of city improvement, residents had been pressured to depart their houses.

“Rising up in Africville, it was like freedom 55. I say that as a result of all the pieces was right here. You had household and associates. You may go skating and fishing and everybody was a household.” she stated.

2:26
CIBC Run for the Treatment takes place just about at this time

Anna Thomas works for the Canadian Most cancers Society and says she is impressed by the work that Arsenault places forth through the years.

“I’ve labored with Bernice over the previous 4 or 5 years and he or she is so superb, she by no means stops, she is going to discuss to anybody and ask for a donation as a result of she actually believes within the work that we do on the Canadian Most cancers Society in assist of breast most cancers,” stated Thomas.

Over the previous 19 years, Arsenault has raised $267,000. She stated this yr, she didn’t begin fundraising till September due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, this yr she has raised $12,000 so far.

It doesn’t cease with the stroll, although. Arsenault is all the time on the lookout for progressive methods to boost funds. She hosts an annual merchandise bingo evening and raffles off tickets on reward baskets. She says folks residing in her neighborhood of Cole Harbour stay up for seeing her yearly when she comes by to ask for donations.

2:16
B.C. most cancers survivor runs 107 km to fundraise for hospital that handled him

A childhood pal, Beatrice Walkins says Arsenault is an lively one who is filled with life.

“I really feel like due to Bernice’s efforts for the Most cancers Society, it exhibits that no matter your age, you may go on the market and do one thing,” she stated.

“Something that Bernice will get concerned with, she places her all in and he or she completed one fundraiser one yr and he or she’s again considering what can I do to make it higher,” stated Bette Skinner, one other pal of Arsenault who has walked within the Run For The Treatment with Arsenault for the reason that starting.

Arsenault credit early detection for the explanation she continues to be residing at this time.

“Early detection saves your life. You realize, it provides you an opportunity — as soon as they inform you that you’ve most cancers, it’s just like the loss of life phrase, and it shouldn’t be.”