My name is Rania. I’ve taken part in two expeditions with the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation, and both were truly significant moments in my life. The first was the Rabaska Getaway Expedition at Poisson Blanc in 2018, when I was 15 years old. I had just finished treatment for a recurrence of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and because of the neuropathy I experienced, I had difficulty walking and couldn’t run at all. And yet, during that expedition, I managed to run for the first time since finishing treatment. It might sound simple, but for me, it was huge. I regained confidence in my body and my abilities.
Beyond the physical challenge, it helped me step away from everything I was going through at the time: the hospital, the city, constant stress, and the lack of people I could fully open up to about cancer. Out there, in nature, I could finally breathe, take a step back, and reflect on myself, far from the judgment of others. Most importantly, I met other young people going through challenges similar to mine — something that’s rare in everyday life. These connections helped me immensely, and some of those friendships are still part of my life today.
Last summer, I had the chance to take part in a second expedition in La Vérendrye Park. Once again, it was an incredible gift. Being able to talk with other young people, share our stories, and listen to theirs was incredibly enriching. These are unforgettable moments — they leave a mark for life.
Today, I’m studying biochemistry and molecular medicine. I hope to become a physician-scientist specializing in pediatric oncology. My dream is to help develop more targeted cancer treatments. I’m also involved as a patient partner at CHU Sainte-Justine, an ambassador with the Charles-Bruneau Foundation, and I lead fundraising initiatives to support cancer research.
Along the way, I’ve also met young people — dear friends — who didn’t have the same chance as I did to be in remission today. Their faces, their stories, their presence stay with me every day. They give me the strength to keep going, to push forward in my studies, and to stay engaged — for them, for all of us, to honor everything they were and everything they could have achieved.
I want to get involved with the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation simply to give back. These expeditions gave me so much. They helped me find myself again, regain confidence, and reconnect with nature and with others. I would love to help make that possible for other young people in turn.