Helen’s Story

Helen Berner knows why accessing the latest breast imaging equipment is so important – it helped save her life. One morning in the shower she discovered a tiny lump under her breast. At first, she didn’t think too much about it, but as the days passed she became more concerned about its presence.

“It took me a while to build up the courage to tell my husband John and even more courage to call the doctor,” she says. “I was so afraid. I didn’t want to hear that it was cancer, but it was.”

Helen’s healthcare journey has a positive ending because her cancer was caught and treated early. She opted to have her care at St. Joseph’s, which she says made an important difference in her overall experience.

“Everyone I met, from the technicians and nurses to my physician was so kind and understanding. They know you are afraid.”

Her care team was there to answer her questions, provide information and offer comfort when she could no longer hold back her tears.

Helen’s diagnosis coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day, she traveled alone to London from Kincardine for radiation treatment with her dog Silvie to keep her company.

She becomes emotional when she remembers that time, and the sisterhood that developed with other women in the waiting room at St. Joseph’s Norton and Lucille Wolf Breast Care Centre.

“You share stories, you support each other and you give each other reassurances that it is all going to work out,” she says.

“Fortunately, more women are beating cancer,” she says. “It’s partly because of the equipment advances and treatments. Keeping up with the new technology and equipment, helps to make our chances better for full recovery. That is one reason why I donate.”

St. Joseph’s Breast Care Program is renowned as a centre of excellence. But maintaining this level of excellence takes a constant investment in cutting-edge technology and research. Donors are the key to funding new imaging equipment to help detect and diagnose breast cancer faster – and save the lives of more people like Helen.