REGINA — When Regina’s Tricia Goffin was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer last fall, her world changed overnight. Now, she’s stepping into the spotlight as a hope spokesperson in this year’s CIBC Run for the Cure.
Every year, dozens of people walk in the CIBC Run for the Cure in Regina. The event aims to improve the quality of life for those dealing with breast cancer, including Goffin.
In September 2024, Goffin discovered a lump in her breast.
“I made an appointment with my doctor, met with my doctor, [and] she scheduled tests immediately and then went through a series of tests. With the outcome being in November, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive kind of cancer.”
Goffin had triple-positive breast cancer, also known as HER2.
“Immediately after that, I started treatment. Since then, I’ve had chemotherapy, targeted immune therapy, hormone therapy and mastectomy surgery.”
She felt “completely overwhelmed” as treatments took over her life.
“Before cancer, I was a vital, outgoing, enthusiastic, very active person. I had a job that I loved, and I also do synchronized skating and coach it,” she said.
Goffin also travelled regularly with her husband and watched her daughters perform.
“[So], all of those things really were completely replaced with either being in bed or being on the couch or being at some kind of a medical appointment. And so it was really, really hard on my mental health.”
Despite dealing with mental health challenges, Goffin said she has learned a lot on her journey.
“I know to expect the unexpected. If I’ve got something figured out, it could change. So I need to be almost ready for that.”
“You [also] have to accept that things will change. I do lean on my people a lot. I do have a lot of support in terms of my friends and my family, who are there to talk to me. I find that very helpful.”
As for her current cancer progress, her body is responding well to the treatments.
“[I’m] continuing with hormone therapy now in the form of a daily pill for the next five to 10 years. And because one of those triple positives is a hormone positive result, that helps to keep the cancer we hope at bay.”
Goffin will also see doctors shortly for a mammogram to ensure the surgery removed the cancer, and there are no signs that it will come back.
For this year’s run, Goffin will participate as a hope spokesperson, sharing her stories with others.
Goffin’s motivation behind this was due to the innovation of research.
“Money for research from events like this can help create very effective protocols. And I’m on one of them and seeing really positive results.”
Goffin also wants to leave everyone in the run with a message.
“Cancer is very tough, but it has also given me a gift. And that gift is the absolute privilege of seeing the very best in people.”
“My village [Regina] has supported me in every way. And when I think about this run and all of the locations across Canada, it’s overwhelming to think about this one giant village standing up on the same day,” she added.
The CIBC Run for the Cure gets underway Sunday at 8 a.m.
More information can be found here.
