Linda’s storyMy journey.
From a phone call in a parked truck to $100,271 for patient care, in Linda’s own words.
The call
June 3, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. was the day my life changed forever.
I sat in my truck after leaving the doctor’s office and completely broke down. I had just been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.
I was devastated. Confused. Angry. Terrified. And, at that moment, convinced my life was over.
No one ever expects to hear those words.
Everything happened so quickly. On June 20, 2008, I underwent a double bilateral mastectomy. After a follow-up appointment at the end of July, my doctors decided chemotherapy was the best precaution to help ensure the cancer never returned.
The long treatment
In August, I began a 6½-year treatment journey—five months of chemotherapy followed by six years of Tamoxifen.
I was told that chemotherapy would take all of my hair. At the time, my hair reached past my waist. I tried to be brave, but I couldn’t stop the tears.
On December 16, 2008, I completed my final chemotherapy treatment. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I knew that, with time, my body and mind would begin to heal as the toxic chemicals left my system. But more than anything, I knew I could never have made it through without the incredible love and support of my family and friends. They carried me through the depression, the fear, and the days when I wasn’t sure I had the strength to keep going.
Journey on, my friend. Journey on.Eventually, my doctors released me from their care. I shared the news on Facebook, and a longtime friend, Deanna Winton, responded with four simple words.
A poem, then a song
A friend, Jeff Pfefferle, whom I had never even met in person, was inspired to learn more about my cancer journey. He wrote a beautiful poem called Journey On, perfectly capturing my story and my fight.
Mutual friends and Canadian country recording artists Rick Tippe and Todd Richard saw the poem and collaborated with Jeff to transform it into a song. Recorded in Nashville by Todd Richard, Journey On was released to radio stations across Canada.
And somewhere along that journey, I realized I had found a new purpose.
FCK Cancer is born
I wanted to help others facing cancer.
I wanted to be the person I needed when I first heard those life-changing words. Someone who could make another person’s journey a little less frightening and remind them that they were never alone.
That’s how FCK Cancer was born.
Today, I host fundraisers and travel throughout British Columbia raising awareness and money for those receiving treatment. Every dollar raised goes directly to the Care & Comforts Program supporting children with cancer.
This isn’t about cancer research. It’s about care, comfort, and practical support: wigs, counselling, transportation, infusion pumps, snacks, iPads, blankets, colouring books, and other comforts that make an incredibly difficult journey a little easier.
Over $100,000 raised.Every donation, purchase, fundraiser and volunteer got us here. Thank you.
Where it stands
Live for today.
Every dollar represents someone who believed in this cause: every donation, purchase, fundraiser and volunteer, and every person who shared a post, bought a piece of FCK Cancer merchandise, attended an event, or simply said, “How can I help?”
Every single one has helped make someone’s journey a little easier.
I never would have chosen this path, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Cancer made me stronger. It made me wiser. It made me more compassionate. And, ultimately, it gave me the opportunity to stand beside others as they fight battles I know all too well.
Today, I am incredibly proud to say that I am 17 years cancer-free. But my fight didn’t end when my cancer did. I continue to fight alongside those who are just beginning their journeys.
If there is one thing cancer has taught me, it is this: LIVE FOR TODAY.
Linda CorscaddenOliver, British Columbia, Canada
Thank you for being part of the FCK Cancer family. Together, we are bringing comfort, hope, and support to children and families when they need it most.