Sudbury Secondary supports teacher after breast cancer diagnosis

Sudbury Secondary School English teacher Vicki Ashick said it was humbling to receive a warm welcome from her colleagues and students Thursday, as they raised $3,400 for the Northern Cancer Foundation.

Ashick was diagnosed with an invasive form of breast cancer in January.

“We were blindsided,” she said. “We were originally told it was not cancer.”

The cancer was discovered early, and Ashick had a full mastectomy in one breast shortly after her diagnosis.

She is now undergoing chemotherapy, and is expected to conclude that treatment in May.

If all goes well she is expected to return to her classroom in September.

Hundreds of students and colleagues gathered at the school's auditorium Thursday to announce the funds they managed to collect in two weeks. Churchill Public School – which Ashick's children attend – also contributed funds through a bake sale.

The funds will help support the Angels in Pink fund to purchase breast cancer equipment for the Northeast Cancer Centre.

The fund is currently purchasing navigation probes – medical tools used to detect and manage lymphedema, the swelling of damaged nymph nodes.

A small group of students and faculty cut their hair, and shaved their heads, to support Ashick as she continues her chemotherapy.

“She's so fun,” said Sudbury Secondary School Grade 10 student Abbey Loiselle. “She pushes you and gives you the support you need to do the best you can in the classroom.”

Loiselle is a member of Sudbury Secondary School's student Parliament, which is organizing an event called The Breast Cancer Gala, which will take place at the Cambrian College Student Centre on Friday, April 29.

The evening will feature dinner, dance, live performances and a silent auction.

Tickets for the event are $50 and can be purchased at the Northern Cancer Foundation office, Stage and Street, Jett Landry Music and Lockerby Convenience.

For more information call 705-523-HOPE (4673).