Hello, 

 

My name is Megan Smith; I am 20 years of age. I am currently enrolled in my fourth year in the Arts & Science program at the University of Guelph focusing on Psychology and Biology. I am very fortunate as this program really highlights my strengths and interests. 

 

I have been a very active individual since the age of 5, playing field hockey and soccer. It wasn’t until I was 10 that I realized soccer was my true passion. With a love for running and lot of training, I continued to improve my game, playing on the Burlington Bombers Rep Team. I was fortunate to be the team captain for 5 years and won many MVP trophies with the help of my great team mates. Despite a setback in 2013, where I underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in my knee and a year of rehab, things were looking up. I returned for another great season, when, April 2014, during my grade 12 year, I re-tore my ACL for the second time. I was devastated. Little did I know, this would be the least of my worries.

 

It was then, following my second ACL replacement, during the recovery and healing time, that I noticed a a small lump on the side of my knee. The doctors thought it was a blood clot that had formed in the tissue. But it kept growing. It wasn’t until countless MRI’s that they realized it was misdiagnosed and I was diagnosed with this rare disease, an Aggressive Fibromatosis, also known as a Desmoid Tumour. 

 

I was then told this tumour will continue to grow and that there was no cure. It was a very scary time in my life. I wasn’t sure what struggles and obstacles I would be faced with or how I would overcome them. First we had to “wait and see” but it kept growing. Then we tried Tamoxifen, a drug often used to treat breast cancer. While enduring terrible side effects, my tumour still kept growing. As my tumour is wrapped around important nerves that control my leg and foot, I had no choice but to try chemotherapy. I was ready to face the unthinkable and conquer chemotherapy to shrink the tumour in order to save my leg.

 

For the next year and a half I had weekly chemo a the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton. It was extremely hard managing school while getting treatment but I persevered and knew I could do it. I am a fighter and was not giving up. The chemo stopped the tumour’s growth for a while, but did not shrink it. My last MRI in Feb 2016 has since shown slight growth. I am now in a “wait and see” holding pattern again. I have constant daily pain but with the right combination of massage and exercise and pain killers I manage. 

 

Since this tumour is so rare, researchers do not receive all the funding they need to find a cure. With your financial support, or by attending our Event ‘Shuffle Out Cancer’ we are one step closer in helping the researchers find a cure for this awful and painful disease. Also, research on Desmoid tumours also helps find cures for other cancers such as sarcomas, liver and kidney cancers, and can help so many people.

 

I am so thankful for this opportunity to share with you my diagnosis, and the struggles and obstacles that I and thousands of other desmoid patients face every day. With the right help, attitude and goals, I can grow to be a better individual for myself and help to inspire those who also struggle with this horrible illness.  

 

So please come out and help support my sister Emily Smith and her exceptional team raise money with all proceeds going to the Desmoid Tumour Research Foundation. 

 

Thank you, 

 

Megan Smith