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In 2003, a group of youths in cancer remission left their hometowns to take part in a snowmobile expedition in Northern Quebec and Ontario. Among them was Diana Merino, a 15-year-old high school student from Ontario with a very acute sense of avoiding anything dangerous that may compromise her health and well-being.
At that time, I was just focusing on surviving. Although I had plans and aspirations, I kept them to a short-term schedule, because I didn’t know how long it would be until I was no longer feeling healthy. I know I wanted to finish high school and go to university, but more than anything, I wanted to stay healthy so I didn’t have to return to the hospital any time soon.
When the group arrived at the town of Waskaganish with their snowmobiles, she remembers how astonished she was to see the entire town waiting for them. All the kids had been let out early from school, the firemen and their fire truck were there, pretty much the entire town had come to meet them and greet them.
It was such an amazing sight and it made my heart very happy to see all these people that I had never met coming together, stopping their busy lives to come to see us achieve this feat. I guess in a way, they made me feel important, and it made me realize that what I had just accomplished was something to be celebrated.
For this group but also for everyone taking part in the expeditions with the foundation, the challenges we overcome are there to make the participants stronger and believe in themselves. Back in 2003, it wasn’t only about crossing the frozen bay by snowmobile, it was about having survived cancer and thriving in the face of this life-threatening and debilitating condition.
I was so grateful to the entire town for how they made us feel that I asked if I could sing for them. That was the best way I could think of saying THANK YOU!
When Diana got back home, she realized that she was still herself, even after having toxic drugs running through her veins and witnessing her physical appearance that had changed.
The expedition empowered me with a renewed sense of self and the thought that my possibilities were endless. I was not stuck to a hospital bed anymore, so I shouldn’t live like I was. I was to take risks. I was to challenge myself. I was to really live a life of no regrets.
Since the life-changing snowmobile expedition that Diana took part in, many years have gone by. She finished school like she intended to and even decided to pursue a career in cancer research. Her own experience as a cancer survivor made her want to understand how the human body works and to learn more about how cancer starts, how it progresses, and how to best prevent it. She studied the genetics behind cancer development and predisposition. Lately, she got involved in using science to provide the scientific rationale that drives many policies and regulations that aim at helping cancer patients reach cures faster.
I seek to empower cancer patients and survivors with knowledge to become better advocates of their own care.
When we asked Diana what projects she had for the future, she talked about personal and professional projects that were all very important to her. From hiking in Patagonia to starting a family and learning to play the ukulele, ideas are running through her minds and possibilities are endless!
Knowing some of the things she accomplished so far, we can only believe that other great projects will come her way and despite times of desperation and uncertainty, life is beautiful and good things await.
In pictures
