jsheppard
Globe and Mail Update Published on Monday, Dec. 01, 2008 1:56PM EST Last updated on Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2009 9:20PM EDT
As The Globe and Mail moves towards selecting our Nation Builder of 2008 at the end of December, we will be highlighting nominations from our readers on who they believe deserves special recognition for making a major contribution to Canadian society this year. Today, you have suggested cancer survivor Erika Heller.
What globeandmail.com readers said:
Andrea Guzzo, Ottawa: With her fairytale wedding this past spring, Erika Heller — who is battling cancer — provided a message of hope.
It's a message the 31-year-old spreads often through her charity work, meeting other women with the disease, even when that means dragging herself out of bed when she is suffering the effects of chemotherapy.
It is for this reason and many others that I nominate Erika Heller for Nation Builder.
Diagnosed with colorectal cancer more than three years ago, Erika fought this terrifying disease and built a stronger nation while doing it.
Cancer is not who she is. Rather, it is about what she does to inspire others and help other cancer patients take control of how they look and feel better about themselves. Women living with cancer from Yarmouth to Yellowknife have been drawn to Erika's passionate personality and commitment to this cause.
As the volunteer spokesperson and model for the non-profit organization Look Good, Feel Better, Erika has changed the lives of many Canadians by not only helping women manage their appearance following cancer treatment, but also instilling positive attitudes.
There have been many mornings after hospital visits, transfusions and little sleep when Erika has dragged herself out of bed to support women with cancer or to do a media interview or deliver an inspiring speech.
Erika doesn't do this for the glory as there is little glory living with cancer. Putting herself out there on the days when she feels the pain of cancer in her body is not easy. But she makes this special contribution to unify all women living with cancer.
She has made these women stronger and in turn, is changing the way our country fights cancer.
Erika is a newlywed living in Aurora, Ont., with her husband, Ryan, and dog, Auggie.
She continues her battle and she continues to inspire.
Fraser Sullivan, Toronto: I vote for Erika Heller.
It is not often in life that you see or meet someone so brave in battle, akin to the soldier in the trenches who is barely allowed to rest . . . for several years.
Coming from a fortunate background, she could just "do her own thing" and, fortunately for all of the people also battling illness and also for those not, her mere presence and actions have been an inspiration and serve as a model that would certainly be deserving of the title of a Nation Builder.
Her story is remarkable, her zest immeasurable and with added exposure it would help further with early detection for colorectal cancer and preventive healthcare in general.
The Globe's Lisa Priest has written several times about Ms. Heller and her battle with cancer.
Ms. Priest writes: Erika Heller has endured far more rounds of chemotherapy — 41 — than her age of 31.
Diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer more than three years ago, life has demanded so much of her: courage, perseverance and patience.
She has responded by living a big life: She had a fairytale wedding in June to Ryan Cornell and now wants to become a mother — somehow, some way.
Though she has done charity work to educate people about the disease, perhaps her greatest gift is the one that was unintended: she has taught many people how life is measured by the number of our deeds, not the number of our days.
Ms. Priest's articles:
* Here comes the bride — no matter what
* 'I could give a kid a wonderful life'
* You can also view and listen to a narrated slideshow of the wedding
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