Corinda Chandler's Charitable Activities:

Cori Chandler's Mission Statement

 "Four years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. The journey that began December 1999 has forever changed my life. My mom has become my hero and I her friend.

Every minute of every day families have breast cancer invade their lives. One in nine women will develop breast Cancer in their lifetime. This year in Canada 21,000 women will hear the words 'You have breast cancer.' No one is prepared for this reality, and every story is unique; a day to day progression on an emotional roller coaster. I have learned that this disease engulfs every emotion of the human spirit denial, fear, anger, hope and love. On that December day none of us wanted to believe this was happening, but four days later the reality set in as my mom lost her breast. What we didn't know at that time was that this was just the beginning; that there were to be many highs and lows ahead, and that all of us would have to fight our fears to comfort her through the physical and emotional battle she was facing.

I stood with my mom, the day the bandages were removed and saw everything become real to her. She remembered feeding her babies and the heights of passion in her life, and grieved for her loss. For the first time I saw my mom as a woman and realized she needed me to be her friend.

Breast Cancer is not only a disease that ravages the body; it attacks a human beings spirit, self-esteem, and does not allow you to hide. I have watched my friend, my mom take one day at a time, the good, the bad and the ugly. We have had days filled with blessings, tears, anger, frustration, laughter, and we rejoice! My mom is a survivor and everyday, every month, every year becomes a milestone.

The truth is we will all be touched by Breast Cancer. We will all know one of those nine women. Every story will become real, every physical and emotional journey will have the face of someone we love. Until that miraculous day Breast Cancer is erased from the world, we can all reach out to take the hand of those on this roller coaster; to help them embrace the realities, to comfort their fears, to allow their anger and frustration to have a voice, to impassion hope, rejoice in every hurdle crossed and most importantly to nurture their spirit to overcome."

Cori Chandler
September 25, 2003