People/philanthropy
Woman grateful for show of support
Donated computer helps cancer patient stay connected
By JEAN EDWARDS STACEY
The Telegram

Carol Ann Mulrooney, an advanced breast cancer patient, received an early Christmas present this year - a computer to replace the one she lost in a house fire. The computer that was sent to the Jerseyside, Placentia woman this past summer was courtesy of her online support group, the participants of the Breast Cancer Action Nova Scotia (BCANS) Breast Cancer Support and Discussion Forum, specifically the Pink Page Ladies.

"My computer was my lifeline," Mulrooney said in a phone interview from Jerseyside. "It's great to be able to talk to people who are going through the same thing as you and to be able to do research into clinical trials. I'm so glad to have it  back and so appreciative of what the breast cancer support group did for me."

Mulrooney, a mother of three grown children, first found out about BCANS in 2002 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was searching the Internet for treatment information. After registering as "NF Girl" she was able to talk to women around the world who were breast cancer patients/survivors.

On Jan. 9 this year, the Mulrooney home in Jerseyside was destroyed by fire. She lost the house as well as her computer, and there was no insurance to cover replacement costs. Two weeks after the fire, she was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer, this time in her bones, and began another course of  chemotherapy treatment.

In May, Mulrooney was among the more than 200 people who attended the fifth annual breast cancer retreat in Port aux Basques. She met BCANS co-chairwoman Barbara Thompson there. A five-year breast cancer survivor, Thompson says she was instantly inspired by Mulrooney's poise and strength. After finding out that Mulrooney's hometown had raised money to rebuild the
family house, Thompson figured BCANS should be able to do something to get her reconnected to her online support group.

When she returned home to Dartmouth, N.S., Thompson posted a message online and within days two BCANS participants had responded with offers of a computer  and a monitor.

Mulrooney has since been diagnosed with yet another recurrence of cancer and has been searching for clinical trials to help her survive. This will be her third Christmas undergoing chemotherapy.

"I figure, the good Lord willing, I'll get by day to day," she says in a strong-sounding voice, without a trace of self pity.

At the moment, Mulrooney, who has just finished two weeks of chemotherapy, is looking forward to the New Year's Eve wedding of her eldest daughter, Cynthia, to Dennis Gorman, formerly of Jerseyside and now stationed in New Brunswick with the Armed Forces.

"My husband Austin and I will be walking her down the aisle," Mulrooney said.

BCANS, which was started 10 years ago by a breast cancer survivor as a way of offering information and support to women with breast cancer, is now accessed by women worldwide. The website, www.bcans.ca, gets 1,000 hits a day.

jes@thetelegram.com