Photo Credit: Chris Small

‘Connecting’ Through The Fight To End Cancer | Featuring Rachel Martin

“Sometimes the most beautiful things can come out of difficulties in life”

~Rachel Martin

Rachel Martin and her partner Patrick Balfour were travelling through India, in the middle of a trip of a lifetime, in March 2018.  A fit, happy and beautiful 30 year old, Rachel…Ray to her friends…was at the top of her game.  Her and Patrick were settling into their picturesque home near Barrie, their Social Media Agency, PINKbear, was thriving and Rachel was training for her first half-marathon.  PINKbear has been part of the Fight To End Cancer family since 2013.
Rachel had found a lump in her left breast before their trip, but didn’t panic.  It was normal for her breasts to change during her cycle so she knew she should wait a cycle to see if anything changed.  She made an appointment to see her doctor when they didn’t.  That appointment happened in May, and within a few hours Rachel was notified that she needed to go for a biopsy.
Rachel had the biopsy, and on June 2nd, still awaiting results, her and Patrick were at the FTEC 2018 Gala doing what they always did; interviewing fighters, posting to social media and helping to generate funds and awareness for the Fight To End Cancer and the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
What are the odds that a healthy, 30 year old woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer?  1 in 1,732.  Despite the long odds, that is the diagnosis Rachel received just a few days later.  She was so convinced that she was going to be told not to worry, she went to the appointment alone.

Photo was taken just a couple weeks into cancer treatments:
“I’ve come up for air. It’s a little long and less eloquent, but it’s all I’ve got right now.” ~ Rachel Martin

Rachel shared her intimate and raw experience as she fought the hardest fight she had ever been faced with. Finding My Way – Thirty, Cancerous and Pissed

The Fight To End Cancer had transformed for Rachel, from being about ending cancer for everyone, to ending it within her own body.  The FTEC motto, Defeat Is Not An Option, had taken on a very real and deep meaning.  Although Rachel hasn’t stepped into the ring (at least not yet) she is the epitome of a great fighter; strong, tough, creative, courageous and with just enough emotion.
With Patrick in her corner, along with a team of friends, family, doctors, nurses and counsellors, Rachel stepped into the ring to fight cancer head on.  What followed was a bout that lasted 236 days and included 8 rounds of chemotherapy, 1 bi-lateral mastectomy and 25 radiation treatments.
Rachel is now on the road to recovery and learning what life looks like through a new lens. Although, true to form, she was expecting to join in on Fight Camp this year and was a little miffed that she wasn’t quite ready.  Be warned whoever holds the pads for her at the next Fight Camp.
Although Rachel has won her fight, the Fight To End Cancer continues.  We can follow Rachel’s lead and come together, work as a team and do whatever we can to end cancer in our lifetime.

“For the fifth year in row we are proud to be the Official Social Media Partner of The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC).  In 2014, when we were first approached by the FTEC Committee, less than a year had passed since my father died of cancer and its many complications.  Still raw from the loss, I felt a fierce responsibility to take this opportunity to help raise both funds and awareness for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Once we got to know the Fight To End Cancer Team we were hooked.

I have met some of the hardest working people in my life through this organization, both in and out of the ring, and on behalf of PINKbear want to give my sincere congratulations to everyone involved in this year’s event.  Now let’s do our part and spread the word, because defeat is not an option!”

~Rachel Martin, PINKbear Founder

Rachel has put so much heart and dedication into the Fight To End Cancer, we can’t thank her enough!  We are always looking for more people ready to take on the fight and if you’re interested please Contact Us or Join The Fight!

Together we can end cancer once and for all!!

Defeat Is NOT An Option!

About Fight To End Cancer
The Fight To End Cancer (FTEC) is a year round initiative carried out by ambassadors, sponsors and volunteers worldwide.  Funds raised by FTEC are donated directly to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.  Each year we celebrate the incredible hard work and dedication of our FTEC family with a black-tie charity boxing gala.  This gala showcases 10 men and women who represent our Official Fight Team.  More About Us or Join The Fight!

Media Contact:
Jennifer Huggins
Executive Director
Phone: +1.416.666.9314
Email address: pr@fighttoendcancer.com