Julie Saunders

Remembering my sister, Heather Saunders

On June 1, 2025, I’ll be participating, with my cousin Katy Whitfield, in the Gratitude 10 walk-a-thon—a fundraiser for St. Michael’s Hospital organized by her friend Jane Brean, who was diagnosed with glioma 10 years ago. I’ll also be honouring my sister, Heather Saunders, who died from glioblastoma on March 6, 2025.

On March 11, 2023, my sister called her husband Anthony from their home in Nova Scotia (Anthony was in Ontario visiting family). Although it was only mid-afternoon, she sounded strangely tired, and could only keep repeating the phrase “I’m okay.” Anthony immediately knew she was not okay—that in fact something was very wrong. Anthony figured out how to contact 911 in Nova Scotia, and emergency responders got her to hospital. It took a couple of weeks, with MRIs and a brain biopsy, for her diagnosis of a brain tumour, glioblastoma multiforme. This daunting news came the day before her 47^th birthday. 

Heather and Anthony had been in a very serious car accident five years earlier, which Heather did not expect to survive. It gave her the perspective that her time since had been an unexpected bonus, and she felt bolstered by having already once confronted her own mortality. She pursued treatment vigorously: Neurosurgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and a clinical trial with a medical device. She also openly shared her story with friends, family, and on social media—helping to build awareness for this disease was very meaningful for her.

I hope you’ll help me raise money for brain tumour research. Although it is one of the most challenging types of cancer to treat, advances are being made, and your support for research helps make a difference.