A simple, everyday life
Gen Kroeker’s journey with breast cancer has been supported by expert care, the strength of her family and community and a positive outlook through every challenge.

Gen’s Story

Gen Kroeker’s journey at St. Joseph’s Health Care London began with a discovery she never expected. At 35 years old, the St. Thomas native, pastry chef and business owner learned she had breast cancer – despite having no family history of the disease.

The diagnosis came after concerns raised by her family physician. Even before receiving a confirmed diagnosis, Kroeker knew surgery would likely be part of her future and that her care would take place at St. Joseph’s.

“I went into it knowing something might be wrong,” she recalls.

What she did not expect was the level of support she would receive from the very beginning.

During her first visit to the Breast Care Centre, Gen was introduced to a level of care she had never experienced before. Rather than focusing solely on medical procedures, the team took the time to guide her through every aspect of the journey ahead, including the emotional impact of a potential cancer diagnosis, genetic testing, surgical options and possible outcomes.

For Kroeker, that compassionate approach made all the difference. Facing surgery and the possibility of significant physical changes was overwhelming, but having a team that prioritized both her emotional and physical well-being helped make the road ahead feel more manageable.

“For women, that’s really hard,” she explains. “There is a portion of you that is going to be lost in surgery and part of you that is changing, and you have to come to terms with that. They took the extra step to really care for their patients. I knew I was in good hands.”

Born and raised in St. Thomas, Kroeker has spent much of her life serving her community. As a pastry chef and business owner, she built her career around bringing people together and providing happiness. When treatment forced her to temporarily close her doors, that same community showed up for her in extraordinary ways.

Neighbours, customers, friends and family organized meals, helped with transportation to appointments and continued supporting her business throughout her care.

During her treatment, Kroeker found comfort in the team surrounding her at St. Joseph’s. From her earliest appointments with surgeons and care providers to the ongoing support of nurse navigators, she always felt seen and supported as a person, not just a patient.

“My care team was amazing,” she shares. “They are incredibly well-trained and highly empathetic. When you’re going through a life-changing experience, that means everything.”

Now 39, Kroeker is embracing life after cancer with a renewed appreciation for both adventure and everyday moments. While recovery has meant adjusting to a new normal, it has also opened the door to new experiences and perspectives. She and her husband have spent more time travelling, reconnecting with nature and even living off-grid, relying on solar power and cooking meals over an open fire.

Those experiences have reinforced her gratitude for life’s simpler pleasures. Whether she is cooking dinner at home, watching a movie with her husband, creating crafts, working at the local farmers’ market or spending time with her tuxedo cats, Hitchcock and Kali, she finds joy in the ordinary moments that once felt at risk. Today, she is grateful for the life she has built and the ability to fully enjoy it.

“I’m so happy to be well enough to spend time in the woods,” she says. “There were times when I couldn’t lift my hands above my shoulders. Sometimes the best days are staying home and cooking dinner because we can just do that.”