Name: Ulana Kopystansky
Age: 50
Occupation: Pharmacist, Swansea Village PHARMASAVE, Toronto, ON
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Family: With Kevin - my pillar of strength, mother to 2 daughters - Taissa (1987-2001) and Adriana 1992
Biggest physical accomplishment to date: Numerous charity walks, several half marathons, 1 full marathon but these all pale in comparison to walking thru the debris of my personal ground zero after the death of my first born child, my daughter Taissa.
A child’s plea:
Sponsor:
Ulana's Boyz
“Ride for the kids who are battling cancer now. Ride for those who will be diagnosed in the future and ride for me until I can ride with you.”
Most of us have a lifetime to make our dreams come true. We are blessed with the luxury of good health and the precious gift of time. Others, however, do not share this good fortune. There are many children, who at a very tender age face the harsh reality of a high risk, life-threatening illness.
In April of 2000, my 12 year old daughter Taissa was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Like any mother facing this dire situation, I was numb with shock, yet reeling with worry and anxiety. During the many hours spent at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto bearing witness to Taissa’s necessary treatments, I prayed that she did not fully comprehend what was happening around her. I hoped that some of her youthful carefree spirit could be salvaged as she endured the chemotherapy which battered her frail body. I knew that she innocently understood that I would stand by her side as she fought the battle for, and of, her life. As Taissa bravely accepted every challenge that came her way, she never lost touch with her new-found companions: hope, strength, determination and perseverance. There were numerous miracles along the way that served to restore her energy and revitalize her spirit. Sadly, this was not to last.
It is hard to believe that it has been 9 years since Taissa lost her life to cancer. It was and always will be the most painful time of my life – my personal ground zero! As I continue to sort through the debris and reflect on this time of greatest sadness, I draw strength from the memory of Taissa’s courage in battling cancer. I have accepted the fact that many questions will remain unanswered. However, there are other questions which I continue to ponder: How many families have children who are diagnosed with cancer? How many of us understand the total helplessness that is felt when asked the question “why”? How many of us know what to do to help?
Today, there are 43 individuals who have acted on the question “What can I do to help?” These 43 individuals and I share a special kinship in our commitment to change the lives of Canadian children and their families living with cancer. Together we will participate in the 2010 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride . Our team of devoted “Cure Warriors” has started intense training and fundraising to rise to the challenge of a 15 day biking journey across Canada. From September 9th to 23rd, 2010, we will ride in relay style, each cycling 2700 km from Vancouver to Halifax, experiencing our beautiful country in a way few have ever experienced. We will brave the elements, be grateful for the successes of each day and embrace the goal of our final destination – beyond cancer!
I have chosen to undertake this physical challenge in loving memory of my first-born child Taissa and in honour of my daughter Adriana, my Godson Adrian, my nieces Maria, Loren and Grace and nephews Harlen and Jackson. Please pave the road ahead by sponsoring me now. Together with your financial pledge we will all be united as one in our commitment to find a cure for childhood cancer. I look forward to sharing the road with all of you.
The future depends on what we do in the present. Mahatma Gandhi
