THUNDER BAY -- Gerry Rogers is an award-winning filmmaker, politician and breast cancer survivor.
Diagnosed 15 years ago at the age of 42, Rogers wasn’t the only family member to be diagnosed with the disease. Her mother and three sisters are all also breast cancer survivors.
“We call ourselves the young and the breastless,” she said Friday at the Victoria Inn before delivering the keynote address at the 22nd Tbaytel Luncheon of Hope.
Her journey through the disease from diagnosis to treatment was an “incredible trip.”
“I got to know more about the medical system than I would have ever wanted to know,” she said.
“It’s been a very interesting experience because you truly get to know how desperately important our health-care system is and what a treasure it is for us right across the country and how important it is that we ensure it is not only protected but that it is adequately resourced both financially and with the proper staff.”
Rogers had both of her breasts removed and also had a hysterectomy. She documented her journey through the disease in a film called My Left Breast, which has garnered international attention and won awards, including two Geminis.
When making the film, Rogers wanted to make something that wasn’t just about beating cancer.
“I wanted to make a film I couldn’t find anywhere that talks about fear, that talks about isolation, that talks about ambiguity, but also that talks about hope and love and community,” she said.
Friday’s Luncheon of Hope was sold out and the funds raised go towards breast cancer services in the region, specifically the Linda Buchan Centre, breast MRI and the Integrated Cancer Screening Mobile coach.
Committee member Lorraine Michieli said the event remains successful after 22 years because everyone has been touched by cancer in some form and it’s important to keep awareness of the disease at the forefront.
“A lot of people … think it’s never going to happen to me,” she said. “It can happen to any of us. We don’t have to have family history of it. It can just happen.”