In April 2007, at age 43 Cherri fell ill with strep throat and pneumonia, which lead to an unknown cancer. One month after recovery she could not walk. She thought she had pulled her hip out of the joint and went to the clinic for x-rays. At that time she was told that her leg was not out of joint nor broken, but that they could see a small lesion that needed further investigation. Specialists were called, however, the appointments were made for months away. Unknown to her at that time, the cancer was already spreading and her kidneys were failing. She went to the hospital and had a blood transfusion and intravenous steroid therapy. She was sent home and continued with the steroid therapy and had several biopsies that proved negative.

On September 11, 2007 she had a fall and broke her hip. She went to the hospital a few days later she received a new titanium hip and leg replacement. The doctors had found that the cancer had been eating away at her leg bones. It was at this time that she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (Plasma Cell Cancer). She started with radiation on her leg and at that time the cancer was diagnosed as in remission. Within three weeks she came down with a cough and as a result broke her breastbone. She then underwent further radiation and chemotherapy. With the cancer no longer in remission she received a stem cell transplant on June 26, 2008 in London, Ontario at the Cancer Research Centre. Her journey continues.

Cherri would like to thank the Katelyn Bedard Bone Marrow Association for their kindness and support to her and her family. Also, a special thank you to Bryan and Melba Bedard for giving their time and attending her fundraiser.

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