Danielle's Story

Danielle Boutilier's Story

I thought this past December would be my last Christmas. I honestly did. I didn’t know how I was going to explain this to my 4 daughters…

After a diagnosis of cancer, I felt as though my world came crashing down around me. I felt like my life had completely shattered. I’m 37-years old, I know I have so much left to do in life with my family and friends, I can’t give up.

I’ve just completed 6 rounds of chemo and 25 radiation treatments. I’m not giving up.

Chemo and radiation are only a part of my cancer journey though. I also went through a 6.5 hour double mastectomy surgery. That’s 6.5 hours in which I was unconscious, fighting, hoping and dreaming - Dreaming about my family and my future. I felt anxious for my surgery, I felt afraid and I was worried sick. That is until I walked into the operating room. Once I went in, I realized I knew over half of the medical staff in one way or another. I was at home. I was able to have surgery at home, where I knew the staff and where my family could be close to support me.

When you give to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation, you’re ensuring that I can stay home for my surgeries. You’re ensuring I can see my 4 daughters every single day. You’re ensuring I can walk into an operating room where I know almost every single person inside.

When you give back, you’re taking the sting away from my cancer and making it possible for me to heal at home.

Will you commit to being a part of my movement? Will you help me to raise money for the Operating Room equipment needed to perform life-saving surgeries at home in Cape Breton?

Every gift makes a difference in my life and in the life of every single surgery patient. Maybe you’ve been considering donating in the past but you’ve just let it slip – now is the best time. Some people say it’s never too late, but I don’t want it to be too late for someone who needs a procedure now!

The Operating Room at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital needs you and needs world-class equipment to make the 580 cancer-related surgeries in our hospital, every year, possible.

My doctor’s report recommends at least 10 years of continued therapy. This may include further operations. I want to stay home. I don’t want to have to go away. You can help me be home.

Without your support, people like me and people like you will have to go off-island, away from their families for treatment. The number of new cancer diagnosis is growing each year. In 2019, 1900+ Cape Bretoners were diagnosed with cancer and that number increases by 4-6% each year.

My story isn’t over. It’s just beginning. I will shout from the mountain tops and tell all who will listen that cancer won’t beat me. I need you to help me. Stand with me. Tell my story to others and help us raise the money we need to keep world class surgeries in our hospital.

I was operated on in Cape Breton. I had my family near. I want the same for you and for everyone who comes after me.

To make sure the next patients have access to important cancer care, please give today. Your generosity can make all the difference in the world for the next patients in need.