Jul172024
B31 Blog

Courage and Community: Base31 Breast Cancer Survivors Fundraiser with Amy Armstrong + Mark Hartman

Join Us for a Breast Cancer Fundraiser at Base31!

Base31 is hosting an important breast cancer fundraiser this Sunday, July 21, in the Sergeants Mess Hall. Featuring the renowned Amy Armstrong + Mark Hartman with a live musical performance and brunch. We are privileged to have three resilient breast cancer survivors among our staff: Chantal Jeffrey, Hadas Brajtman, and Jenny Litke. Their stories of courage and perseverance are a testament to the importance of early detection and the fight against this disease.

Jenny Litke was diagnosed in April 2016 with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a rare and aggressive form that often goes undetected until it has spread to the lymph nodes or beyond. Despite IBC having a survival rate of about five years, Jenny has defied the odds, surviving for eight. Immediately following her diagnosis, she endured eight rounds of chemotherapy, a left-radical mastectomy, and 25 sessions of radiation. This gruelling journey left her debilitated but ignited a renewed determination to live fully, leading her to travel, celebrate special moments, and build a career. She honoured the memory of friends who lost their battles with breast cancer by living the lives they couldn’t. Jenny’s diagnostics were conducted in Trenton, highlighting the need for accessible diagnostic imaging in our local hospital.
Chantal Jeffrey, who many know from the Base31 box office at both the Drill Hall and the Sergeants Mess Hall, is courageously fighting breast cancer for the second time. Initially diagnosed during the second year of a world-wide pandemic, she faced the devastating news of recurrence this past spring. Her first battle included a right-side mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation, which concluded in January 2022. Despite the physical and emotional toll, Chantal remained positive. Her resilience is being tested again with recent scans revealing a mass in her left breast now. Chantal is a fighter, embracing the perspective that life is too short not to pursue who and what she loves. She considers herself fortunate despite the recurrence and continues to find strength in her journey. Chantal’s story underscores the importance of continued support and advanced diagnostic tools for early detection.
Hadas Brajtman received her diagnosis in April 2023, while attending a meeting at work. By early May, she was battling stage II Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), an aggressive form with limited treatment options. Hadas underwent 16 cycles of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and a salpingo-oophorectomy as preventive measures. Her journey has been marked by immense physical and emotional challenges, but she found strength in her community’s support. A year later, Hadas celebrates milestones and dedicates herself to raising awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

By purchasing tickets to this Sunday’s fundraiser, your money goes directly to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation to help purchase a new digital mammography machine for our local hospital. Because priority equipment purchases are not government funded, PECMH Foundation counts on the support from donors to help ensure healthcare services remain close by should anyone need them now or in the future. This machine will assist early detection and save countless lives. Even if you cannot attend, consider buying a ticket for a friend or relative. Additional donations can be made directly to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation. Let’s rally together, share this event on social media, and make it a record-breaking success!

Join us in the Sergeants Mess Hall at Base31 this Sunday, July 21, and help us make a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer. Your support means the world to us and to all the women who will benefit from early detection and advanced treatment options. See you there!