Joan Backman

I'm on a mission to support those facing cancer

Nova Scotia has the highest cancer rates in Canada. Currently, 1 in 2 are diagnosed in their lifetime and 1 in 3 patients will not survive. That’s why I am riding in the 12th BMO Ride for Cancer — hosted by the QEII Foundation — to help fund lifesaving cancer care for all Nova Scotians.  

I’ll be riding in memory of my  sister-in-law and brother, Judy and Hugh Cowan. Both of them passed away from cancer in the past few years. I’ll also be thinking of my friends and other family members who are living with past and current cancer diagnoses.  

This is our time to lead the charge and continue our journey to transform local cancer care at the QEII Health Sciences Centre; for those we’ve lost, those currently facing cancer, and the 1 in 2 who will be diagnosed.  

Funds raised by our 2026 BMO Ride for Cancer community will support the full spectrum of cancer care at the QEII — strengthening every stage of the journey: earlier diagnosis, more targeted treatment, effective support between appointments, and monitoring that can detect cancer recurrence sooner. 

This means advancing cancer-fighting technology and treatment options including: 

• Best-in-class imaging to detect cancer earlier with greater accuracy, reduce scan times and cut wait times 
• Precision oncology tools to help tailor therapies to each patient’s unique genetics 
• Surgical robotics and innovation to enable less invasive procedures and faster recoveries 
• Digital tools that empower and support patients at home, removing location barriers between appointments 

Together, our BMO Ride for Cancer community is helping ensure that every patient who relies on Atlantic Canada’s largest and most specialized cancer treatment hospital has access to world-class care, right here at home.  

With every dollar you donate to my Ride, you’re helping every step of the cancer journey from diagnosis to recovery and survivorship – ultimately saving and changing lives of Nova Scotians.  

Please donate to my Ride today!  

To learn more about the impact your generous donation will have here at home, visit https://YourRideforCancer.ca/Impact.