When Bonita first felt a pain in her breast, she trusted her instincts and followed up with her nurse practitioner. With her annual mammogram already scheduled just a few weeks later, this quick timing made all the difference.
The mammogram showed something abnormal, leading to further imaging, more tests, and eventually, a double mastectomy. From start to finish, her journey took nearly a year — much of it spent waiting and travelling outside the community for care.
“The hardest part of getting the breast cancer diagnosis was the waiting and the unknown,” says Bonita, a local Penetanguishene resident. “It would be so incredible to have this in our own backyard, lessening the stress and time of travel to have these tests done.”
Bonita’s story is a powerful reminder that early detection saves lives, and that care close to home can ease so much of the waiting and worry that come with a diagnosis.
Right now, many in our community must still travel nearly 50 km for a mammogram. But thanks to the incredible generosity of donors through the We See You campaign, that’s about to change.
A full mammography program is coming to GBGH in 2026, bringing early detection and peace of mind for families like Bonita’s, closer to home for thousands of local residents.
Together, we’re making it happen. Learn more at WeSeeYouGBGH.ca.
Hear Bonita’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAmXRwh9Mj4&t=15s
