Almost from the very moment of being diagnosed with breast cancer, Bif Naked knew it was an event in her life she was going to willingly share.
But it wasn't her celebrity as a singer and familiarity in spotlight urging her to do so - although that would help.
It was a conscious decision to tell her story, and in doing so help enlarge the community of people touched by the disease allowing them to share in the strength of unity and break down the social barriers associated with the illness.
"I discovered that in our culture, our society, many people were internalizing this - cancer. Some really didn't want to talk about it," said Naked who is the guest speaker at this year's Nite of Hope Gala Evening, a cancer fundraiser April 8 at the River Rock Show Theatre. "It seems to me, the more time I spent in the waiting room for my own appointments, and the more time I spent in the chemo wards, I learned more that people isolate. I don't know whether it's because we're Canadian or in the west, but people tend to close the blinds."
Much of that stems from a level of embarrassment many feel when going through a health crisis, Naked said.
"And they don't want to trouble anybody.
They don't want anyone to come and see them struggling."
Naked added society, in general, prefers to project an appearance of health.
"Families want to show they are busy, thriving, healthy and happy. We don't want our neighbours know our business," she said.
But it's her message that it's okay to share and draw on the positives from being open about the situation.
That was the direction Naked took in 2011 when she discovered a chick pea-sized lump in her breast. The diagnosis followed quickly, and her journey to share he story began.
"At the time, I was a newlywed. My wedding (photos) had been in Hello Magazine. It was a perfect tragedy," she said. "Because of that it was easy to talk about because it was a bit of a sensationalistic type of story. Plus, at the time I was what I considered to be in optimal health. Everyone knew I was an athletic person, a vegan, I didn't smoke or drink. It was part of my
image. So, it was more shocking for people because it made them realize cancer could happen to anyone."
Faced with a health challenge and the loss of a relationship at the same time - her marriage came to an end - did she ever go through a period of asking why cancer happened to her? "Never, I was grateful from the beginning," she said. "And I still am. If I could I'd get it again and spare someone else from getting it. I would love that because I just feel that spiritually and emotionally I have the tools to deal pragmatically with whatever health crisis is in front of me.
"I still feel that way."
That's why she jumped at opportunity to speak at the Nite of Hope event.
"Being in a room full of people who are affected by this disease who want to make a difference and impact, that's what I want to do," she said.
"I can't wait. I simply cannot wait. I felt completely humbled when asked to take part."
For more information about the Nite of Hope Gala Evening, visit niteofhope.com/richmond/index.html.
