Supporting the CCTG breast disease site committee Resides in Durham Region, Ontario | CCTG Patient Representative since 2024“I believe there is strength in diverse voices in shaping the future of cancer clinical trials, especially as a survivor and advocate with deep community ties. I want to improve how trials are designed, prioritizing quality of life, managing side effects and improving health outcomes for patients and the generations that follow.”Dawn came to Canada with her parents at the age of three from the lovely island of Barbados. Both of her parent have lost their cancer battles – her mother from multiple myeloma and her father from esophageal cancer. Her parents taught her the value of being true to herself and not being afraid to stand up for what she believes in, which she has now instilled in her three children.At the age of 44, Dawn was facing her own diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Her experiences open her eyes to the gaps in healthcare, the lack of education around TNBC as well as the disparities in access to resources, especially for under served communities. Her goal is to ensure a more inclusive, compassionate and patient-centered approach to healthcare.Her journey inspired her to create NUY50, a campaign focused on raising awareness, advocating for equal access to cancer treatments, better representation and empowering individuals of colour to take charge of their health. Dawn now dedicates her time to community collaborations in cancer research, committing to bringing her voice as a TNBC survivor to the table. “Clinical trials are the gateway to our future! Patient involvement means not only advancing science but also potentially accessing cutting-edge treatments, empowering themselves and others and increasing diversity and representation that could lead to more effective, tailored treatments for all ethnic backgrounds.”
