“My own cancer journey gave me a new perspective on the Network’s mission”: A Q&A with Eileen Bruce, project coordinator of the Atlantic Cancer Consortium

Cancer has touched nearly every chapter of Eileen Bruce’s life. She lost both of her parents to the disease, watched many other family members face cancer and, in 2024, received a breast cancer diagnosis of her own. Today, she is turning those experiences into purpose, bringing the perspective of a cancer patient to her work advancing precision oncology as both a Project Coordinator and Patient Partner with the Atlantic Cancer Consortium (ACC). 

We spoke with Eileen about how her cancer journey has changed the way she sees cancer research, the hope she finds in the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network and why Terry Fox’s determination continues to inspire her today. 

We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did. 

MOHCCN: Why did you get involved in cancer research? Was there a particular moment or experience that led to this decision? 

Eileen Bruce: Prior to joining ACC, I had worked as Manager of Planning and Operations in the Vice-President (Research) Office at Memorial University.  I always had an interest in the types of research that was undertaken at Memorial, particularly cancer research, given the predominance of the disease on both sides of my family.  My mother passed away from cancer when I was four years old and my dad had just passed away from cancer a few months before I joined ACC in 2022.  Between that time, many members on both sides my family had also experienced cancer.  Being able to work first-hand with researchers on a project of this nature meant so much to me. 

I had left my position with ACC by the time I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and taken a new position at Memorial.   However, on the day of my last treatment, I spoke with Sherri Christian, ACC’s NL Co-Lead, who had given me great support during my cancer journey, to let her know that I had rang the bell.  Sherri asked me if I would like to return to work with ACC, as my former position was vacant.  I immediately said “YES!!!” without hesitation.  It was so fulfilling to rejoin this remarkable research team at this point of my life, bringing my lived experience to the role to help inform, and to work with other patient partners as ACC began Phase 2 with MOHCCN.   

Cancer research is difficult: progress is slow and for every step forward there may be quite a few steps backwards or sideways. What life lessons have you learned through your relationship with cancer research? 

A cancer journey can be compared to a marathon.  At the start you are stronger and determined.  As the marathon proceeds you grow tired.  Perhaps you break down the distance you must travel into segments – chemotherapy, surgery, radiation.  Each one that you reach is a victory in itself.  There are loved ones - family and friends – who are with you along the way, telling you to keep going, telling you that you can do it. 

I feel that this comparison can also be used in relation to cancer research.  There are indeed steps forward and others backwards.  The progress at times is slow and sometimes tiring.  There are people waiting for you at the finish line.  Those people need you to finish what you have set out to do - the cancer patients, their families and future generations need you to keep going.     

I have seen great advancements in cancer treatments over the years during my family members’ journeys. Now Phase Two of MOHCCN continues to bring such promise to precision oncology -  initiatives such as liquid biopsy,  GenerationAll and Know-My-Genes.   

I have learned that cancer research is critical.  We must never stop asking new questions and seeking answers to this extremely complex, yet so common, disease. 

What inspires you to keep going? 

Even though I am not directly performing the research itself, I am motivated every day to perform my role to the best of my ability.  I watch all of the individuals I work with, who carry such tremendous workloads, come together to share their knowledge and passion for what they hope to achieve.  Even for the brief period of time between when I left ACC and when I rejoined, I never forgot all of those I had met as part of ACC, TFRI and MOHCCN.  It is impossible not to be inspired when you are a part of such a dedicated team who devote so much of their time and energy to helping cancer patients, both present and future, through precision oncology. 

What is your role as a Project Coordinator for the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network? 

The Project Coordinator role was created following the end of ACC’s Pilot Phase to help support the Co-Leads and Project Manager given the growth of the project and increase in the number of cohorts in Phase One.  This role provides senior-level administrative and financial support.  The Project Coordinator position is a member of the ACC Secretariat, working very closely with the Project Manager.  This role serves on various ACC committees and working groups thereby working directly with Cohort PIs; Biobank, Bioinformatics and Sequencing teams; clinicians; and patient partners.  

Since rejoining ACC in January 2026, I have a dual role.  In addition to working as Project Coordinator, I am also a Patient Partner.  I have been recently asked to serve as Co-Chair of ACC’s Phase Two Patient Partner Advisory Council (PPAC).  This role will enable me to work directly with other  Patient Partners and bring my lived experience from having breast cancer to help inform discussions during the next phase.  

You bring a unique perspective to the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network as both a Project Coordinator and someone with lived experience of cancer. How has your own cancer journey shaped the way you approach your work and the decisions you make? 

When I returned to ACC at the end of my cancer treatment, I rejoined the project with a new perspective – one of a cancer patient.  At first, it was very different for me, trying to find a balance of performing the Project Coordinator role and providing insight as a Patient Partner.  There were many initial conversations that I was party to when I tried to determine if I should provide input from a patient’s perspective.  I quickly learned my input was not only welcomed but appreciated and heard.  I am very thankful to my colleagues for accepting my contributions in this way. 

Hearing about what is envisioned during Phase Two of MOHCCN takes on a whole new meaning for me.  “Samples” that we would discuss before, are now fellow cancer patients to me.  When I hear discussions on things like liquid biopsies, I relate first-hand to how much easier my journey would have been if I had undergone that procedure.  I think of fellow patients that I met from various communities in Newfoundland, and how much easier it would have been if their biopsy could have been done in their hometown by a simple blood draw.  Working on this type of research project is truly inspirational when you carry this perspective.  It enables me to approach my work with a great sense of pride and hope. 

Having experienced cancer firsthand, what do you wish researchers, clinicians and health system leaders better understood about the patient experience? 

Each cancer patient is unique. This recognition has inspired precision oncology.  In terms of diagnosis, for some, it is shocking and unexpected.  For others, due to family history, it is something they hoped they would never get, but the probability was always present.   

For each person there is one common denominator, cancer diagnosis is traumatic.  It makes you face your mortality.    The impacts – physical, psychological and sometimes financial, are not only on patients but their families as well.  From the time you are told “You have cancer” the world as you know it changes.  You think about things you should have done, you question lifestyle changes you should have made.  You carefully share your diagnosis – and for some, whether they are your children, your partner or your parents, you must appear strong and let them know all will be ok, when you honestly don’t know if that will be the case. I feel often the psychological impact of cancer is not always recognized or addressed.  This is something that should go hand-in-hand when accessing the physicality of the disease. 

How do you hope your voice helps shape the future of precision oncology in Canada? 

After my cancer journey, I am thankful to have an opportunity to work with the ACC team and patient partners, as well as MOHCCN, to be able to share my story and have a voice.  Having the unique opportunity to work as both a project coordinator and a patient partner gives me an ability to bring direct knowledge of a cancer patient into all aspects of my position.  My colleagues have been so open to me sharing my perspective.   

One of the things that I have frequently raised in different conversations as we enter Phase Two is that when undertaking the return of results and genetic testing, we need to ensure patients are fully informed and clearly understand the impacts.  Appropriate support needs to be present, especially genetic counselling.  We need to consider all impacts on both patients and their family members who may be genetically predisposed to cancer.  

If a researcher, clinician, patient or donor asked you why the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network is important, what would you tell them? 

I would tell them that we all have a role to play.  Cancer research involves a network of expertise, lived experience, and abled support working together to make future breakthroughs and advancements in cancer treatment.   MOHCCN has successfully united all of these roles nationally through its five regional consortia and, during Phase One, created Canada’s largest and most complete cancer case resource.  I would stress that future progress can’t be made when we work in silos.  Being informed and united across Canada is critical to sharing knowledge, expertise and resources.   

I think anyone from the above list who may ask me why MOHCCN is important would have known someone, either directly or indirectly, in their lifetime who has been impacted by cancer.  The statistics of cancer cases across Canada are diverse in cancer type, and despite all progress that has been made in terms of diagnosis and treatment, there is still so much work to be done.   

What does Terry Fox mean to you?  

I was 10 years old when Terry Fox began his journey in my hometown, St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980.  His strength, determination and courage immediately captivated me.  

To me, Terry Fox was a true hero. 

The evening news was where I followed Terry’s journey as there was no social media back then.  I heard about Terry’s progress and the tremendous amount of money being raised.  With that kind of funding, I remember thinking “NOW there HAS to be a cure for cancer found”.  When Terry’s cancer returned and he was unable to finish his Marathon of Hope, I was so sad for him and for his family.  I knew, even at such a young age, how difficult it must be for his family to see him suffer as he was battling cancer.  I remember asking my father “Will someone help Terry”. 

How does Terry inspire you? 

It wasn’t until I went through my own cancer journey many years later that I realized the actual strength that Terry Fox had.  There were days that the treatments and side effects took over my body.  There were some days all I wanted to do was lie down and wait for time to pass.  Yet, Terry Fox ran a marathon every day of his journey – roughly 26 miles per day.  His amazing focus on helping cancer patients and his determination to continue despite what he must have been going through was phenomenal.   

Terry Fox is still a hero to me. 

It is an honour for me to work with the Atlantic Cancer Consortium as part of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, and with the Terry Fox Research Institute named in his honor.  I wish I had the ability to go back and tell my 11-year-old self that there would be a whole network of amazing people across Canada stepping forward to help continue Terry’s mission.  And for me, to now be a part of that amazing team, is an honour that words can’t even begin to express.