Breakfast with Rhonda
Saturday, October 25, 2008

Early on a bright sunny day at the lovely Mayfair Golf Club, 15 AIAB members in our famous jerseys, joined about 200 women for a buffet breakfast. The meeting room was festooned with pink and two displays took centre front, the AIAB booth set up by Bunny Rosse and the CBCF booth.

Part of our group with Dr. Rhonda Low, Dr.Susan Harris, and Anita Cochrane

Dr. Rhonda Low, moderator for the event, introduced the three speakers: Anita Cochrane, Margaret Hobson, and Dr. Susan Harris all members of AIAB!

Anita spoke of her experiences from being diagnosed on her honeymoon at age 30, successful treatment, then the devastating recurrence 3 years later. However, cancer has not stopped Anita from continuing her athletics including dragon boating and recently winning the provincial curling championship. She is thrilled to be heading to Inuvit to compete in the national curling championship. Anita is also a champion fundraiser for cancer.

Margaret Hobson, our past president outlined the start of AIAB as a research project with Dr. Don McKenzie, to the expansion to our current 5 crews. She spoke in glowing terms of AIAB's mission spreading our message world-wide while providing warm support and lasting friendships.

Need motivation to exercise? Dr. Sue's presentation emphasized the importance of regular exercise after treatment. She summarized studies showing the reduction in recurrences for women who made exercise a part of their lives along with balanced diets (remember the old Canada Food Guide?).

Dr. Low then moderated the question and answer part of the program. She also graciously joined us for a group photo. On TV Dr. Low is petite but in person she is tiny - even in 4 inch heels!
Susan Harris,Deb Thiessen, and Patricia Tanaka	Patricia with Kim Moss,coordinator,Volunteer resources at the CBCF

I would recommend attending the Richmond Breast Health Breakfast as it was a very pleasant and worthwhile morning.

Patricia Tanaka