Recently, I had the privilege of attending the M-Rose Community Walk, the turnout was an success. It's always invigorating, especially in such turbulent times, to witness how people can come together for a meaningful cause. I went to support a friend and the gym/community I belong to, but I left with something much deeper: a sense of encouragement and the comforting realization that I am not alone.

One moment that really resonated with me was when Dr. Jill Andrew, the MPP for Toronto-St. Paul's, spoke about this being the biggest battle for many women — and it hit home. Dr. Jill Andrew serves as the Ontario NDP Culture Critic and Women's Issues Critic for the Official Opposition, and her words carried a powerful weight. I lost one of the greatest women in my life, my grandmother, to cancer. It's a cruel, life-stealing disease, and I've seen other family members and friends face their own battles, some having to navigate the difficult journey of diagnosis and treatment.

In those tough moments, how do you support someone who is going through that? It’s hard to know exactly what to say or do. But as I walked and spoke with others during the event, I couldn’t help but think that sometimes, the most powerful support we can offer is simply our presence. We walked five miles , nothing particularly difficult physically for me but it felt meaningful because it was a collective show of solidarity and acknowledgment. The road ahead may be hard for the individuals fighting these battles, but as a community, it feels just a little bit less tough.

That sense of togetherness, even in silence, is a reminder that we’re all in this together. Looking forward to the next one, because one thing is certain: humans need community.

‍

‍