Cancer survivor, researcher to speak at Relay for Life
Article content
Growing up, Alyssa Vito always knew she wanted to be an oncologist one day.
In high school she volunteered at Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life events and in the radiation oncology ward of her local hospital. What Alyssa didn’t know, was that only a few years later she’d be taking herself to treatments at that same hospital.
In 2011, her life completely changed. The then 23-year-old had recently finished her Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry on a full athletic scholarship for rowing. She worked in the field of sports medicine and was in peak athletic form when she found a lump in her right breast. Tests quickly diagnosed Alyssa with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive and hard-to-treat form of the disease. Over the next eight months she underwent intense treatment that included a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation.
“Cancer can be one of the most disheartening experiences ever,” said Alyssa in a media release. “Working towards eradicating this disease can benefit not only myself, but my family, friends and everyone around me.”
Alyssa’s cancer experience prompted a switch in career paths. Instead of going to medical school, she applied to graduate school and joined Society-funded researcher Dr. John Valliant at McMaster University. The lab is primarily focused on researching a non-invasive way to better detect breast cancer using targeted molecular imaging probes.
“I wanted a hands-on role in research that had practical application in the clinic,” said Alyssa. “I could see that the work I was doing, funded by the Canadian Cancer Society, could directly impact cancer patients like me and offer earlier, better detection of the disease.”
Alyssa continues to work as a research assistant with Dr. Valliant and will be pursuing her PhD this fall, also in the field of oncology. As a researcher and cancer patient, Alyssa understands how crucial it is to fund these types of projects.
“Each cancer is different, its own disease. There won’t be a one-size-fits-all cure. Even within the same cancer, different subtypes present different challenges. As such, a vast amount of energy, time and ultimately money is required to do the work we do.”
Outside of the lab, Alyssa enjoys blogging, being active and spending time with her husband and young son.
Alyssa will be the guest speaker at Relay For Life in Tillsonburg on Friday, June 3 during the Opening Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Tillsonburg fairgrounds. Registered participants and cancer survivors will have the opportunity to meet with her following the Survivor Victory Lap.
It’s not too late to sign up as a participant for Relay For Life – it’s as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Online, go to relayforlife.ca/Tillsonburg and register as a participant and/or cancer survivor. Registration is $15 and participants make a commitment to raise $150, and come have an evening full of fun knowing they are fighting back against cancer. Cancer survivors have two options – they can register as a participant, paying the $15 and fundraising, or they can register as a cancer survivor visitor for free and walk the Survivor Victory Lap. Either way, cancer survivors receive a T-shirt, lanyard and dinner.
2. Make a self-pledge to show others that you are committed to raising funds for life-saving cancer research and to support those living with cancer.
3. Email, Facebook or ask your family, friends, colleagues, neighbours to support you and help make a difference.
Then come to the event on Friday, June 3 and have a great time with others committed to raising funds so that fewer Canadians are touched by cancer. For those not 'online savvy,' registration and pledge forms are available at RBC in Tillsonburg.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Relay For Life in Tillsonburg, and it will be even more exciting and fun than ever. The event has moved to the Tillsonburg fairgrounds – Memorial Park and is now a six-hour format from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. to welcome more families. You are sure to see some exciting new items at Relay this year, along with the traditions that make the Tillsonburg Relay the great event that it has been for the past 14 years, raising $2.5 million.
Relay For Life is the Canadian Cancer Society’s signature event and funds life-saving research and vital support services for those living with cancer and their families. Driven by an aging and growing population, the number of cancer cases in Canada is expected to increase by 40 per cent within 15 years, so supporting Relay For Life has never been more urgent. Two in five Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime. Join the fight against cancer by accepting the baton and registering today.
Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society is a national community-based organization dedicated to preventing cancer, saving lives and supporting people living with cancer through research funding, services and advocacy. They are Canada’s largest charity fighting all types of cancer and a leading authority on cancer statistics and information. To learn more, call 1 888 939-3333 or visit cancer.ca.