Transforming Survival into Hope
Everything is possible thanks to research. Treatments have evolved significantly since my diagnosis in 2012. Scientific advances now offer many more treatment options!
At the age of 41, and completely unexpectedly, Sofia Galvao was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer that rarely affects adults: Philadelphia chromosome–positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia at a very advanced stage.
This was followed by a hospital stay of about three months, during which she received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant.
“The bone marrow transplant was my only chance of survival, and fortunately, my sister was my donor. In 2015, I experienced a brief recurrence of the cancer and had to undergo another transplant using the stem cell reserves that had been preserved from my first transplant.”
Finding Inner Strenght to Heal
Since receiving her diagnosis, Sofia has been convinced that treatments available today for this same cancer have evolved significantly. Thanks to research, targeted drugs now make it possible to treat the disease more effectively, using better-tolerated therapies that offer improved outcomes and greater chances of recovery for patients.
“Research requires funding, and it requires researchers. Everything is possible, science is moving forward. People diagnosed today have many more options available. We need to raise awareness that we cannot be individualistic if we want research to move forward.”
This major health challenge prompted Sofia to change the direction of her career. She returned to school and became a support counsellor, with the goal of supporting people who receive a cancer diagnosis.
“Mental strength is so important. When I was ill, I never thought my mind was sick, it was my body. We can’t control everything; we must trust. I try to help my clients overcome their fears, worries, anger, feelings of injustice, sadness, and more.”
Today, Sofia gives back extensively to the cause. She organizes fundraising initiatives for leukemia and facilitates support groups across Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritime provinces, offering hope everywhere she goes, because for her: “as long as you haven’t been affected by illness, you don’t realize how lucky you are to be healthy. When you need it, you’ll be glad you contributed to advancing research.”