30 years of horizon

My name is Kylie Bard. I’m 30 years old, and I was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma when I was 27.

I first heard about the foundation through my psychosocial counselor at CancerCare Manitoba. I’ve always loved the outdoors and grew up camping, so I was thrilled when I was invited to be part of the Getaway Expedition in the fall of 2023 at Poisson Blanc Reservoir.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced during my cancer journey has been finding people I can truly relate to. The expedition gave me the opportunity to connect with other young adults who understood the hardships we often face during this unique stage of life—our twenties.

I was later invited to join the Grand Expedition in the summer of 2024. At first, I was unsure. I thought I was “healed” and that cancer was behind me, especially as I had begun returning to work and university. But I decided to go—and I’m so incredibly glad I did.

Through the guided activities, I reconnected with nature and experienced a deeper level of healing. I also regained a lot of physical strength—I carried barrels and even portaged a canoe for 400 meters! That moment was a pivotal turning point for me. I cried at the end of that portage because I had been so hesitant to test my physical limits after surgery, and yet, I accomplished something I didn’t think was possible.

The supportive and uplifting people, along with the positive environment and atmosphere created by Tip of the Toes, made the entire experience amazing!

Now, I want to give back to the foundation for the priceless experiences it has given me. I also want to raise awareness—especially here in Manitoba, where many people still haven’t heard of Tip of the Toes. They need to know about the incredible support and healing this organization offers to young adults like me.