What are YOU afraid of when you hear the word CANCER?
Last week, the FearLess Project was brought to light at beautiful Brookfield Place, Toronto. This exhibit featured a light installation of eight tree-like structures and asked the public to attach their own fears to the branches. The installation had included some of the over 12,000 fears shared online by Ontarians since the project launched earlier in November.
To say this installation was a moving experience is an understatement. It was emotional and very personal. I was amazed to see how complete strangers (and so many) wanted to share their fears in this public but anonymous forum.
The project continues to raise awareness and the sense of “you are not alone” by opening up discussion in helping to overcome some fears surrounding cancers. “We know that fear of cancer is a huge issue in Ontario and can actually prevent people from being proactive about seeing a doctor, ultimately affecting health outcomes and their ability to get the care and help they need,” said Susan Horvath, Vice President, Leadership Philanthropy, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. “We launched The FearLess Project to help Ontarians begin to acknowledge and share their fears and demonstrate how the Canadian Cancer Society can help play a role in alleviating those fears.
The public is encouraged to add their fears online and to find out more about how the Canadian Cancer Society offers expert advice to patients of Cancer, as well as supporting family members and friends.
For more information about The FearLess Project please visit
And feel free to start with your own fear.
Then let them guide you.
What is your fear?