President and CEO, Annie Parker Foundation, Anne Parker’s message to current and future partner organizations on International Day Against Breast Cancer
I discovered I had breast cancer at the age of 29. However, my passion for cancer advocacy was born when my mother passed from breast cancer when I was only 13 years old. Tragically, I lost my sister and cousin to the same hideous disease two decades later. I also fought stage 3 ovarian cancer and an unknown primary behind my liver. I was one of the first women in North America to undergo genetic testing for breast cancer. It was discovered that I carry a gene mutation known as BRCA 1.
Hollywood was inspired by my story and made a film about my life – “Decoding Annie Parker” starring Samantha Morton in the title role. A few years later, I wrote my memoir, “Annie Parker Decoded.”
Through my own personal experiences and hearing the stories of other BRCA patients, survivors and previvors, I started my own non-profit, the “Annie Parker Foundation” with the goal of helping other women and men confront their cancer diagnoses and ask helpful questions.
This is why on the World Health Organization’s International Day Against Breast Cancer, I reiterate my and my Foundation’s Directors’ commitment in partnering with clinicians, scientists, researchers, patients, their families and caregivers, federal and provincial leaders and the general public to raise awareness and increase patients’ access to clinical trials and other research aimed at saving the thousands of lives that are lost to breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers.
Come partner with us and help us achieve these goals.
Previous Post
Next Post
