Five Fewer Days of Cancer

In the summer of 2019, time stood still for Kerrie Gavin. Her diagnosis: triple negative breast cancer.

Kerrie’s time became measured in treatments and doctor’s appointments. Six months of chemotherapy followed by a double mastectomy. When she finally exhaled, tests showed the cancer hadn’t responded to chemotherapy. The clock reset and Kerrie settled in for 8 more months of chemotherapy.

Just as life began to feel normal again, the cancer returned – this time in her chest wall.

More surgery. More recovery. More time stolen by cancer.

When radiation began, Kerrie was told to expect 30 treatments. Then research changed her plan.

A new medication meant she would only need 25 treatments instead of 30. Five fewer trips to the cancer centre. Five fewer exhausting days. Five fewer moments where life revolved around cancer.

That’s what research looks like in real life. It gives time back.

That fall, a simple email to friends and family resulted in thousands raised for the C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research. By 2025, Kerrie’s events were raising $55,000 a year.

Her reason is simple: “You can’t cure what you don’t fund.”

Since her diagnosis, two daughters have married, she’s become a grandmother, her son is engaged, and she has raised $240,000 for breast cancer research.

Because when cancer robs you of time, research helps reclaim it.