Tracey Myren

I was incredibly honoured to be asked to be the Honoured Hero this year—thank you so much!

Living with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) for the past nine years has been an emotional rollercoaster. I was first diagnosed on September 21, 2016, after a routine blood test revealed a very high platelet count. I had no symptoms at the time. That day changed my life—and the lives of my loved ones—forever.

Since then, I’ve been on seven different treatments. Each time something starts working, my body eventually rejects it. I’ve faced liver issues, painful rashes, pulmonary effusion, and countless other side effects as a result of my medications. Right now, I’m on a new treatment that began as a clinical trial. It’s working—for now—and I’m grateful for that.

Despite the challenges, I do my best to stay positive and find happiness wherever I can. I’m alive. I have amazing friends, a beautiful family, and the most incredible grandchildren who keep me going and give me purpose.

There were times when I was taken off medication and realized I had forgotten what “feeling good” even felt like. Some people have told me, “If you have to get cancer, CML is the one to get.” But I beg to differ. I would give anything to simply treat this and move on—to feel good again.

I first learned about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) and the Light the Night walk shortly after my diagnosis, but I wasn’t ready to participate at the time. Since then, my husband and I have attended educational events, webinars, and several Light the Night walks. Over the years, my teams have helped raise over $20,000 in support of blood cancer research and support services.

I’m honoured to share my journey and grateful for every person who has walked beside me—physically, emotionally, and in spirit. Together, we bring light to the darkness of cancer.