Cancer Sucks: My Story

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 29.  It stopped my life for about a year (I had to take time off of work) and treatment lasted for about 5 years: everything from surgeries, several rounds of chemo, radiation and blood transfusions. I was unfortunately someone who got lots of side effects from various drugs.  If it said 1 in 500,000 people might experience this or that, I was that "1" that experienced it.  It sucked!

I'm happy to say that I've been cancer free for years now.

My talk at the Think Pink Fundraiser for The Princess Margaret Hospital Walk To End Breast Cancer - June 2008

I was asked to give a talk at the Think Pink fundraiser for The Walk To End Breast Cancer - Team Shoppers Drug Mart. Raising money for breast cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital.

I was really nervous about speaking about my story in front of a large audience and almost backed out. I'm glad that I did it because it ended up being a real empowering experience for me. After I gave the talk, I can't count how many people came up to me after and told me how I touched them in some way. I can't believe how many people shared stories of how they lost a mother, father, brother, sister, friend and even dog to cancer.

I'm hoping that I was able to make a small difference in raising cancer prevention awareness and hopefully some money for the event. Obviously it's a cause that's near and dear to my heart.

Really great free guitar lessons on You Tube

Justin is my favourite guitar teacher ever! He has tons of You Tube Lessons on his website for beginner to advanced players.

It's free! And it's completely up to you if you want to donate to help keep the site running. He also sells some DVD's and books which are excellent.


I love this guy.  I've never even met him but I've spent hours taking guitar lessons from him on You Tube and happily make donations to his site and buy his products.






2012 Update

Justin's You Tube lessons have over 68 million hits and a ton of world renowned guitar players endorse his lessons. e.g. Brian May, Steve Vai, Mark Knopfler, Tommy Emmanuel

Justin's model of giving away his lessons for free gained him students (and fans) around the world. He was able to make teaching guitar on You Tube his full time gig and he started selling lesson books and CD's and has done teaching tours around the world.

I fortunately was able to meet him and get personal one on one lessons the two times he came to Toronto on his worldwide teaching tours.  I also got to hang out with him both times as well and get to know the incredible human being he is.  I also took Skype lessons with him.  I still think he's the best teacher ever!