In March 2023, I started experiencing brief moments where my mind would go completely blank. At first, I brushed it off as exhaustion – until a few months later, when I had a seizure in my sleep while away in San Francisco. Back in Toronto, a visit to the ER led to the words that changed everything: “There’s a five-centimetre tumor in your brain. You need surgery immediately.”

The first surgery wasn’t successful. A second surgery, 10 days later, finally removed the tumor but the fight wasn’t over. My diagnosis: Anaplastic Astrocytoma – Stage III brain cancer. Aggressive. Incurable.

What followed was months of radiation and chemotherapy – the fear, the uncertainty, the exhaustion. I lost my hair and I had to step back from work. But through it all, I kept going. I focused not on what I had lost, but on what I still had: life, purpose, and the ability to push forward.

By November 2024, I finished treatment. MRIs every three months are now my reality, but I refuse to let this define me. Some days are hard, but I’ve learned that the power we give to our circumstances can limit what we’re capable of achieving. That’s why I’m committed to contributing to cancer research – not just for myself, but for the millions of lives impacted by this disease.

I am deeply grateful for Project 55 and Jeff Flemington for taking on this challenging journey to make the world a better place by uniting the CRE community. The unwavering support for Sarah and for me as we navigate this new reality means more than words can express.

Together, we can create a world where no one lives in fear of losing their life to an illness they never chose. 

Take 5 – Five gifts that came out of this for Kiana:

1. Perspective shift: A deeper appreciation for life, focusing on what truly matters, and letting go of trivial concerns.

2. Stronger relationships: Strengthened bonds with loved ones, a greater sense of connection, and newfound support systems.

3. Resilience and inner strength: A realization of personal strength, and learning to overcome adversity with courage and grace.

4. Purpose and clarity: A clearer sense of direction – whether it’s a change in career, advocacy, or simply embracing life more fully.

5. Gratitude and presence: A heightened ability to live in the moment – appreciating the small joys that might have gone unnoticed before.