Ellyn Winters

Advocating for Aesthetic Flat Closure (AFC)

“Embrace your post-treatment body!”

Ellyn Winters radiates confidence after having a double mastectomy and becoming a “flattie,” an option she wishes more breast cancer patients were offered.

Earlier this year, Ellyn discovered a lump on her breast, which later led to an ER/PR+ HER2- breast cancer diagnosis.

As a lover of health and fitness, Ellyn calls herself the “healthy girl.” Her initial reaction to her diagnosis was “blind panic,” and a further reinforcement that anyone can be affected by this horrible disease.

With the help of a Schitt’s Creek marathon, tapping and deep breathing, Ellyn found her way through the early days of diagnosis and found the courage to face her surgery and treatments head on. “You find reservoirs of strength when you start fighting for your life.”

Ellyn was told that she would need a single mastectomy, as surgical guidance in Ontario guides doctors to treat only the affected breast. However, in consultation with her surgeon, Ellyn opted for a double mastectomy. She wanted to limit her future risk and couldn’t picture herself going forward with a single breast.

Ellyn also embraced a less common form of reconstruction called aesthetic flat closure (AFC). This procedure removes the extra skin, fat, and other tissue in the breast area so that the remaining tissue can be tightened and smoothed out, giving it a flat, smooth appearance.

During her journey Ellyn learned that AFC is not typically presented as a reconstruction option for breast cancer patients. She learned about the surgical technique by doing her own research into her reconstruction options. Since her surgery she’s spoken to many women on the breast cancer journey who have struggled with breast mound reconstruction and who have told her, “If only I’d known!”.

Ellyn wants women to know that going flat is an option, and regardless of whatever form of reconstruction they might choose, brave women who face breast cancer surgery and treatment should not be ashamed or feel like they need to hide their scars or changed body.

Ellyn also wants to stress the importance of early detection through routine screenings. She’s seen first-hand how many Canadians are affected by breast cancer.

Do you want to learn more about Ellyn’s journey? She recently penned a book entitled « Flat Please, Hold the Shame » which has gained a lot of attention. Ellyn also created a conversational AI tool ( AskEllyn.ai ) – a resource developed to help other women. Ellyn is a proud Breast Cancer Canada volunteer and her mission continues to support every woman diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Photo Credit: Hilary Gauld Camillieri, One for the Wall Photography

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LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

This is often called a bequest. It’s the simplest way to make a legacy gift. A gift in your will has no effect on your current income and your estate receives a charitable donation tax receipt. Here’s a sample of simple bequest wording : “To pay the sum of $_________ OR _______% of the residue of my estate to Breast Cancer Canada.”


DONATING A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

Life insurance is a way to provide financial security for your family. If the needs of your family are already taken care of, a life insurance policy is a smart way to donate to charity including tax savings for your estate. Speak to your financial advisors for your personalized advice and learn how a gift of life insurance can work for you. Here’s the top-line on ways of leaving gifts of life insurance:


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Register a significant difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Donate the proceeds of a registered account: Tax-free savings account (TFSA); Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP); Registered retirement income fund (RRIF). It’s a smart way to make a major contribution. Without reducing your current assets. Without subjecting the funds to probate fees. While reducing taxes on your estate through a donation receipt.

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A partnership with Breast Cancer Canada is a win-win. It improves employee engagement, boosts morale, fosters a tighter culture. It raises your organization’s profile and demonstrates your support for breast cancer research. To customers. To employees. To suppliers. Most of all – it makes a positive impact for those affected directly by breast cancer.

We’ll raise money for life-saving breast cancer research, together.

Let’s talk about building your program!

Contact Dawn Hamilton today to get started.
Email: hello@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 

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Sponsor

Thinking about becoming a corporate partner of Breast Cancer Canada? Amazing. We work with all types of organizations. We’ll help you deliver results which are measurable. National or local.

A partnership with Breast Cancer Canada is a win-win. It improves employee engagement, boosts morale, fosters a tighter culture. It raises your organization’s profile and demonstrates your support for breast cancer research. To customers. To employees. To suppliers. Most of all – it makes a positive impact for those affected directly by breast cancer.

We’ll raise money for life-saving breast cancer research, together.

Let’s talk about building your program!

Contact Charlene Politano today to get started.
Email: cpolitano@breastcancerprogress.ca
Phone: 1-800-567-8767 or 416-352-8567

To make an online corporate donation, please click here.

If you would like to explore other ways to give, we invite you to learn more.

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There are many ways to fundraise – whether you want to create a competition or tournament, fundraise with your team, challenge your colleagues, host a pink party, have a bake sale or cook-off, the idea is to raise more for breast cancer research.

Breast Cancer Canada will empower you with all the tools you need for a successful fundraiser, and if you need more information, contact Dawn Hamilton at: dhamilton@breastcancerprogress.ca  

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Volunteers are Breast Cancer Canada’s most important resource, and the backbone of our organization. From helping build our PROgress research to helping breast cancer patients, to supporting events, special fundraising projects and administrative tasks, our volunteers are dedicated to making a positive, life-changing impact.

We ensure our volunteers have the best possible experience and apply the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.

You can help us end breast cancer by:

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Learn more about our volunteer driven Regional Hubs.

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Connect to learn more about what is happening in your area: volunteer@breastcancerprogress.ca