Over the course of a lifetime, most of us will know hundreds — if not thousands — of people affected by cancer. One of those battles may be our own, or that of someone very close to us.

It’s a frightening thought, but one made less so by knowing that, for the past 30 years, The Ottawa Cancer Foundation has been making sure no one has to face cancer alone. The foundation has been a source of support for individuals, caregivers, and loved ones, offering emotional, practical, and wellness programs to help them navigate this life-altering disease.

This morning, the local non-profit organization held its annual Cancer Care Champions Breakfast at Venue Twenty Two on the top floor of The Westin hotel, bringing together leaders from across the city who believe in the power of partnerships, collective action, and philanthropy. Organizers were hoping to raise $75,000.

The 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast was emceed by local entrepreneurs Jennifer Stewart and Catherine Clark, who are also co-founders of The Honest Talk, a women-focused podcast and digital media platform.

Stewart not only has several people in her life currently affected by cancer, but she and Clark are also big supporters of women’s health advocate and cancer survivor Liz Ellwood, who helped organize the breakfast. Its theme, Navigating the Rise: Addressing the Increase in Early-Age Onset Cancer, was especially meaningful to Ellwood, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer at just 24.

“When Liz calls and asks you to be part of an event, you say ‘Yes’,” said Stewart with a smile.

Stewart praised the organization for its three decades of helping individuals and their families cope with the challenges of cancer, and for transforming the experience through a more personal, compassionate approach.

“From identifying critical gaps in cancer care to developing innovative programs that provide emotional, practical, and wellness support, the foundation has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of those it serves,” said Stewart.

Jennifer Stewart, left, and Catherine Clark, co-founders of The Honest Talk, emceed the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast in support of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, held at The Westin hotel on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Among those present were Ottawa MPs Yasir Naqvi and Jenna Sudds, along with CHEO’s new president and CEO, Dr. Vera Etches and former broadcaster Angie Poirier, who — having just experienced the roller-coaster cancer journey alongside her young son Nash— will be joining The Ottawa Cancer Foundation this fall in a new public relations role.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was represented at the breakfast by his director of communications, Tahera Mufti, who presented a special anniversary certificate to The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s president and CEO, Deborah Lehmann, recognizing the “comfort, care and hope” the cancer foundation has given to patients and their families “during some of the hardest times of their lives”.

Dr. Brian Goldman, a best-selling author, host of CBC’s White Coat, Black Art and an ER physician at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, was the keynote speaker, sponsored by Mike Lupiano, principal at Lupiano Executive Search. In a lighter moment, the good doc forced himself to say, “Go Sens go,” when he initially reached the podium. “Oh, Brian, that wasn’t so hard to say, was it?” the Toronto-based doctor joked afterward.

Then Dr. Goldman shared some disturbing facts about the global rise in cancer in young adults.

Dr. Goldman also took part in a discussion with fellow panelists Jay Abramovitch, who is a stage-four colon cancer survivor; Julia Slanina, founder and CEO of digital health platform Treehouse; and Meredith Langille, a cancer system navigator and registered social worker.

Dr. Brian Goldman, a best-selling author, host of CBC’s White Coat, Black Art and an ER physician at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, was the keynote speaker at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, held at The Westin hotel on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s president and CEO, Deborah Lehmann, was presented a special certificate of recognition of the organization’s 30th anniversary by Tahera Mufti, director of communications for Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, held Thursday, May 29, 2025, at The Westin hotel. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Dr. Brian Goldman, Jay Abramovitch, Julia Slanina, and Meredith Langille participated in a panel discussion at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, which focused on early-age onset cancer. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Over the past 22 months, since taking on the role of CEO of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, Lehmann has spent much of her time in the community, listening to people share their personal cancer stories with her. “We’re reminded that navigating a diagnosis is not only a medical experience, it’s a profoundly personal experience, it’s human,” she said.

Cancer can also be a catalyst for self-reflection, she continued. “It’s a turning point, and it changes how you see the world — what’s really important, what matters in my life, and why,” said Lehmann. “Cancer brings great uncertainty, yes, but in the face of it, we can access something more powerful than fear: courage, love.”

The foundation works with local leaders and organizations to identify and prioritize service gaps, focusing on key areas such as cancer system navigation, mental health support, physical health and wellness, education, and social support, said Lehmann.

One of the quietest but powerful moments came when Lehmann led the room in a moment of silence, inviting everyone to reflect on someone who had supported, encouraged or believed in them, someone who helped shape who they are today. (For the millennials and younger crowd: the gesture was a nod to the late Fred Rogers, a.k.a. Mister Rogers from the American children’s television series).

Dr. Goldman later praised The Ottawa Cancer Foundation for the impact it has on the community. “You’re doing a brilliant job identifying the needs—not reinventing the wheel, but being what Fred Rogers would call ‘one of the helpers.’ You guys are the helpers, big time.”

Mike Lupiano, principal at Lupiano Executive Search, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice CEO Megan Wright and the chair of her board, Michelle Bouchard, partner at Hendry Warren LLP, and Senators Community Foundation president Jacqueline Belsito were out supporting the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, held at The Westin hotel on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Duane Francis, portfolio manager/senior financial advisor with Capital Wealth Partners/Mandeville Private Client Inc, Merkburn Holdings managing partner Kevin Rougeau, and Matt Jacques, commercial realtor with Royal LePage Performance Realty, were out supporting the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, held at The Westin hotel on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, The Ottawa Cancer Foundation’s president and CEO, Deborah Lehmann, CHEO president and CEO Dr. Vera Etches, and former Ottawa radio and TV broadcaster Angie Poirier at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, held at The Westin hotel on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ian Sherman, board vice chair of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation and CEO of Relationship Capital, and Kathryn Tremblay, co-founder of Altis Recruitment, at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, held at The Westin hotel on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Cancer Foundation held its 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast at The Westin Hotel’s Venue Twenty Two on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Amanda Deseure, senior vice president of digital public and government affairs at Edelman, with her colleague, Graham Richardson, managing director of media and communications, at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast at The Westin Hotel’s Venue Twenty Two on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
 

Deborah Lehmann, president and CEO of The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, welcomed attendees to Venue Twenty Two at The Westin hotel for the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Soley Soucie, founder of The Treehouse Group of Companies, Bell Media operations manager Jodi Hamilton, business development consultant Liz Ellwood (LE Strategies) and Kanata-Carleton MP Jenna Sudds at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast at The Westin Hotel’s Venue Twenty Two on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips
 

The Ottawa Cancer Foundation held its 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast at The Westin Hotel’s Venue Twenty Two on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, EY senior manager Kevin Robson, Aiāna Restaurant Collective owner Devinder Chaudhary, Yasser Ghazi, vice president of commercial financial services for RBC, and Irfan Ahmed, consulting director at Procom, at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast held at The Westin hotel’s Venue Twenty Two on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Shannon Gorman, president and CEO of the Queensway Carleton Hospital Foundation, seen at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast with Dr. Hartley Stern, who sits on a number of boards, including for biotech companies, the University of Ottawa, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Dr. Brian Goldman, Jay Abramovitch, Julia Slanina and Meredith Langille participated in a panel discussion at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, which focused on early-age onset cancer. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Kristen Buter, vice president of property management at Mastercraft Starwood, and Jennifer Cross, the new director of regional development in Eastern Ontario for Chandos Construction, at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, held at The Westin hotel on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Dr. Brian Goldman, Jay Abramovitch, Julia Slanina and Meredith Langille participated in a panel discussion, led by event emceed Catherine Clark and Jennifer Stewart, at the 2025 Cancer Care Champions Breakfast, which focused on early-age onset cancer. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC and Welch LLP.

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