On December 11, in our nation’s capital, a member of the BRIGHT Run community stepped forward to receive her Meritorious Service Decoration from the Governor General, one of the highest distinctions a Canadian civilian can receive.
When asked how that made her feel, Nancy McMillan, 18-year breast cancer survivor and event chair of the BRIGHT Run in support of breast cancer research at Juravinski Cancer Centre (JCC) and McMaster University, answered: “Incredibly proud and humbled. It’s a tremendous honour. I know it sounds strange but I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to walk this path. Believe it or not, I consider breast cancer to be one of the best things that could have happened to me.”
For those of us who know, admire and respect Nancy, this does not sound at all strange.
This is the woman who shows up at Juravinski Cancer Centre with a radiant smile. She welcomes frightened women to the “Club,” sits with them as they wait to meet their breast cancer surgeon for the first time, and comforts them with a lap blanket she knitted.
Yes, this is the same woman who returns year after year (14 and counting) to lead an executive committee of 12, recruit more than 200 volunteers, engage 30-plus community partners and media outlets, and inspire 1,700 participants to plan and participate in the magic that in 2025 totalled $535,000; and $6.6-million in its 18-year-history. She puts hope into action.
As you might expect, Nancy wears pink. That is how she raises awareness of breast cancer and promotes the BRIGHT Run through which advances in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care are made. Every dollar raised by BRIGHT Run participants supports breast cancer research right here at home.
The impact of the BRIGHT Run on the lives of thousands of breast cancer patients, locally in this region and beyond, is profound. For example, BRIGHT Run funding and research: seeds projects that may go on to be funded nationally and internationally; has reduced radiation from 30 treatments over a six-week period to, where appropriate and indicated, five to 10 treatments over one to two weeks; has discovered a topical medication (TKA) applied at the time of the surgery to advance the healing process; outfitted one of the ultrasound suites in the CIBC Breast Assessment Centre; brought the PYNK program to JCC to meet the unique needs of young patients (under 40) diagnosed with breast cancer; and launched, with McMaster University, the BRIGHT Run Breast Cancer Research Learning Health System chair to study and apply artificial intelligence (AI) to advance breast cancer research.
Nancy is driven by passion, admitting, “It’s my reason for getting up in the morning. I feel, in a small way, that I can make a difference to individuals who are walking the same path that I walked 18 years ago, and walk every day.” A champion of her cause, she leaves no one behind, saying: “We, in the BRIGHT community, take care of each other. No one is ever alone.”
Already working on BRIGHT Run 2026 with her six committees, and visioning a special celebration to mark BRIGHT’s 20th anniversary in 2027, Nancy’s goal is clear. “I want to help make change that will improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients and increase the ranks of those, like me, who can say that they HAD breast cancer.”
We in the BRIGHT Run family are excited and thrilled that Nancy McMillan has been recognized for her exceptional and long-standing community service. No one is more worthy or deserving.
Helaine Ortmann
BRIGHT Run volunteer Helaine Ortmann is a retired senior development officer at the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation and a breast cancer survivor.
