Connie Fitzpatrick and the Glass Slipper

In February, 2007, almost two years into a stage IV breast cancer diagnosis, Connie Fitzpatrick and her friend Luise Bayley were three days away from a trip to London when Connie began having serious chest pains. Thinking it was a cracked rib, her doctor ordered a chest x-ray. All was fine, but Connie knew something was still off. Her doctor ordered a pulmonary CT scan, and the hidden culprit was finally identified: a large blood clot in Connie's lung (one of many possible, yet rare, side effects of chemotherapy).

Had the airplane taken off with Connie on board, the clot would have burst and Connie would not be alive today to tell the tale – or joke about it, for that matter. “I was going to see London whatever it took,” says Connie. “So it would have been like Weekend at Bernie's in London, with Luise pushing me around.” Three years after her diagnosis, Connie has to laugh: “It's the attitude that keeps you going rather than any medication.”

The road to laughter has been a growth process – and sometimes a very painful one at that. For her perseverance, Connie is the inaugural recipient of the Women's Post Glass Slipper Award, which will recognize people making outstanding contributions to their communities.

Connie was diagnosed in April 2005 – again. She had previously been cancer-free for nine years. Friend Natasha Novoa was diagnosed with rare small cell ovarian cancer in December of the same year, and passed away only three months later at the age of 29, leaving behind a two-year-old daughter.

For Connie, the reaction was: “We've got to do something.” She and Luise came up with the idea of a charity golf tournament. From the initial idea, “we just dove in full-on,” says Connie.

That idea is now Ribbons of Hope: A benefit for Wellspring Sunnybrook, a centre that provides support, coping skills, and education at no charge to people living with cancer. In it's third year, Ribbons of Hope is poised to surpass last year's fundraising total of $34,000, this year at its new home: Markham's renowned Angus Glen Golf Club.

On Sept. 6, participants can enjoy a round of golf, cocktails, dinner, dancing, a silent auction, and the presentation of the Glass Slipper Award to Connie – all for $200, $50 of which will go directly to Wellspring, with tax receipts issued. Alternatively, any golf-averse participants can join the party for dinner for $50, $20 of which will go to Wellspring. Connie's background as a money-broker has helped see the details through to fruition – that, and “Luise's ability to squeeze money out of people,” Connie jokes.

As Wellspring receives no government funding, the event is a massive boost to their operating income. It is also a boost for Connie herself, who regularly uses Wellspring's programs and can attest to how these programs can lead to astounding improvements in wellness.

Like everything else, however, accepting positivity has been a process: “At the beginning, I was part of something then called the 'graduate metastatic group'” Connie says dryly. “I couldn't sit through a session without crying. It took me six months to look at my son without tearing up.” But the warm environment and strong bonds she has made have made her thankful for the programs and resources, for her and others fighting the same battle. “It's a tough group to be part of,” says Connie, who has lost six good friends since she started, “but it's helped me.”

“Being diagnosed with stage IV cancer is the toughest news anyone would ever have to digest and it takes time and support to start living again. It's a new normal. This group helped me from the early tough months to today. It's a bond that we share because we truly understand how each one feels” says Connie. With Ribbons of Hope, she's returning the favour.

Today, Connie says the tournament has given her purpose. This, along with support from husband Ken Vopni and their son Mitch, has kept her positive. “I am stronger, happier, and tell myself 'Go on with your life; live it without counting down the days.'”

Mitch has also apparently inherited his mothers strength of character. After refusing to take off a pink cancer-awareness bracelet (which he'd promised his mother he would never remove) to play little league softball, Connie's then 10-year-old son gained national attention when his story was published in the Sun newspapers. The league has since changed its policy.

“There's a gift in having this disease,” says Connie. “It sounds awful but there is. [The Glass Slipper Award] confirms everything I've put into this, how it's drawn loved ones together, how it's brightened my life. There is a gift in cancer.”

For more information on Ribbons of Hope and how to participate, please see www.ribbonsofhope.ca.

For more information on the Women's Post Glass Slipper Award, please email editor@womenspost.ca.