SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - This year Rosanna Strong learned her name represented more than just her family.

During the second week of January, Strong was diagnosed with breast cancer. It wasn't something she was unfamiliar with, as her mother was going through breast cancer treatments when Strong was diagnosed.

Nancy Cymbalisty, left, and Rosanna Strong stand in front of the Run For Our Lives display at Stanton Territorial Hospital. The Run For Our Lives fundraiser provides more than $100,000 to the breast health patient navigator program at the hospital. The project may expand after the two-year pilot program is complete. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

"It was a shock," she said. "I didn't believe the diagnosis. I was just in disbelief and denial over the whole thing. I couldn't believe that we were being dealt this. We were dealing with so much already."

For many women, being diagnosed with breast cancer can be difficult and especially overwhelming. When dealing with doctors, tests, and medical terminology, understanding everything you are told can be a hard task. Having someone like Nancy Cymbalisty around can make all the difference.

As Stanton's breast health patient navigator, Cymbalisty is a one-woman support system for breast cancer patients.

"One of the big things I do is help them figure out what they need to do next," she said.

Introduced to patients by their respective surgeon, Cymbalisty meets with cancer patients to find out what they know about their condition and what they need to do to get through it. She provides knowledge and emotional support for the person and their families.

"I help out the families as much as I can or as much as they want me to," she said. "It's very unfamiliar territory. I include them in the process as much as possible."

The navigator program will complete its first year on Oct. 9. The pilot program is set for a two-year run before it will be re-evaluated.

"It's like having an interpreter between you and your medical team so you better understand what's going on and are more competent and comfortable with what you are going through," said Strong.

"All you see is darkness and there is this light and all these women on the other side, they're done and cheering you on. You're hiking a long distance to get to this light.

"Having this support system brings hope to the issue of breast cancer."

Because most surgeries involving breast cancer have to be done in Edmonton, as well as radiation and chemotherapy, Cymbalisty helps patients like Strong be more prepared for what they will encounter when they arrive in Edmonton.

"Geography and travelling is challenging for some," she said. "Some people have lived their entire lives in small communities. I put them in contact with navigators in Edmonton to help prepare them for what to expect."

Strong is one of 36 referrals Cymbalisty has received since taking the position in October 2007. The former home-care worker said not all patients referred want her support and not all women need to be referred to her for support, but those she has helped do gain a lot of perspective.

"I suggest they go one step at a time," Cymbalisty said. "I advise them to keep a journal of what's going on each day. With so many appointments and doctors telling you so much it can be difficult to digest all the information."

Cymbalisty said it's important for women to go about their regular lives and find emotional and mental relief and support wherever they can.

Strong's own support is grounded in family and friends as well as Cymbalisty.

"I have an amazing support group here," Strong said. "The people that have surrounded me have rallied around in such great ways."

One way her friends have rallied is to give Strong a new gift each Monday while she is going through her treatments. She said people have come out of the woodwork to support her in this challenging time.

"You don't realize how many people you've touched until something like this happens," she said.

Strong recently completed six rounds of chemotherapy over a five-month period.

"Chemo was brutal," she said. "There were a lot of emotional ups and downs but it was something I was able to get through with the support around me.

"Having Nancy around has been a real blessing. For my husband and I, it's really solidified our relationship and brought us together to battle this tough time.

"You learn you are a lot stronger than you really know," Strong said. "Being a recipient of help and support is hard but you have to accept it. It's a big lesson I've learned."