It took a while for Carriere to deal with the issue. She was diagnosed in 2007 when she was 43. She had four children, three girls. She’s a personal trainer and a basketball nut who played when she was at Western and Fanshawe College. She coached at Fanshawe.
"It’s taken me a while to come to terms with it," she said. "You go through a lot of stuff. Some women are able to deal with it right away and I just wasn’t prepared for that. This summer though, I went for a long run and thought ‘you know Theresa, it’s time.’ We know a lot of people and I can do something with that. It’s time to do something. I was running one day and I thought, ‘I can run to Sarnia.’ I thought about it and couldn’t get it out of my head.’"
So Carriere is now doing whatever she can to make people aware of the disease and how they can fight it.
Her major project is what she calls One Run. She will run the 100 kilometres between London and Sarnia on June 25 to raise money and awareness. Carriere says she’s already had friends, colleagues and sponsors jump on board to offer support however they can.
Today, she will be at the Mustangs Brock Badgers basketball game. She’ll take the opening tipoff and speak at halftime.
Proceeds from the game will go toward One Run and eventually to breast cancer research.
It has been an eye opening journey for Carriere.
"It was a shock to get it," she said. "But then you start hearing it so often. It really confuses me why it happens so often. Everyone you talk to either has an aunt or sister or wife or friend who has it. I just got to the point where I want to do whatever I can so they can find answers. Having three girls, and tons of nieces, I don’t want them have to deal with this kind of stuff."
Carriere said it was her sister Maria who insisted she get a mammogram.
"I went for a physical and Maria insisted I ask for a referral for a mammogram," Carriere said. "I said that’s ridiculous. I’m in good shape. I have no family history of breast cancer. But knowing my sister, she’s hardheaded." Families helped Carriere get through it all her kids and husband, her basketball family and her family at work.
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