Introduction

Breast cancer has long been seen as a disease that mainly affects women in mid to later life. However, it is now appearing more often in younger women. In Canada, the change is striking. Between 1984-1988 and 2015-2019, the incidence of breast cancer rose by 45.5% in women in their 20s, 12.5% in those in their 30s, and 9.1% in those in their 40s. These figures underscore a profound reality. The disease is no longer confined to the age groups traditionally considered most at risk.

This trend represents more than just statistics; it signals a reconfiguration of vulnerability, wherein individuals at the beginning of their adult lives are being forced to confront a diagnosis once thought improbable at their age. The onset of breast cancer into ever-young demographics is not merely a medical concern but a societal imperative, demanding awareness, research, and collective action.

Our Story

We are Juliana Sassi Laham and Luca Tangredi, two close friends united by a cause that has touched our lives in personal ways.

In high school, we were deeply influenced by a teacher who became much more than an educator. She was a role model, a source of encouragement, and someone who believed in us when we didn’t believe in ourselves. Her joy, and dedication to her profession, shaped who we are today. Tragically, she lost her battle with breast cancer. Her passing left an emptiness in our school community and in our hearts.

Our connection to this fight also stems from Juliana’s family. Her mother, Tina Sassi, is a breast cancer survivor. She fought breast cancer with courage and strength, enduring fear, treatment, and uncertainty. Tina’s story is a testament to hope, resilience, and the life saving power of awareness and support.

We carry both of these stories with us. The heartbreaking loss of a mentor who inspired us, and the miraculous survival of a mother whose strength guides us. Together, they fuel our determination to make a difference.

Our Vision

We are committed to advancing awareness and education so that prevention and early detection become cultural norms. Equally, we seek to foster a community in which patients and families feel empowered, supported, and never alone in their journey. We aspire to create a future where no individual’s life trajectory is defined by this disease, and where survival is not determined by circumstance but assured through universal access to timely care and support.

Ultimately, our vision is a world in which the loss of extraordinary lives to breast cancer is no longer an inevitability but a preventable tragedy. A world where resilience, survival, and hope are the standard, not the exception.

How Can You Help

The fight against breast cancer cannot be won alone. It requires the strength of a community. By supporting our foundation, you become part of a collective effort to honour those we have lost, upright those still fighting and protect the generations to come.

Every donation, no matter the size, is a declaration that loss is not inevitable, that awareness is power and that together, we can transform grief into enduring change.