We lost Ann. Suddenly. We are reeling. Ann was an integral part of Dense Breasts Canada and a dear friend. Ann Hill coming into my life was one of the most special things that has happened to me. We connected in 2018, not long after her diagnosis of Stage 3 Triple Negative breast cancer. A diagnosis six months after a clear mammogram. A lump found by self-exam and initially thought to be a cyst, since the mammogram was “clear” just 6 months earlier. The lump that brought us together at a time when I was trying to find my voice in advocacy.

My DBC co-founder, Michelle, and I began advocacy for breast density notification in British Columbia because that was where Michelle and our medical advisor lived. When we reached our goal in BC in 2018, it was time for me to tackle my own province of Ontario, but I was a novice when it came to politics. I had never even spoken to a politician before and was nervous. Plus, I had no dense breast story of my own to share -I could only rant about the injustice of not telling women potentially life saving health information.
And then came Ann, so soon after her surgeries and treatment were over.

All that is Ann, she so willingly gave to me and DBC.

She always wanted to help. She never said no to my many asks. She trekked from Conestoga three times to join me in meetings at the legislature. I never would have gone alone. In her gentle manner, she calmed me and gave me the confidence to enter Queen’s Park. Ann told her story of a delayed diagnosis to MPPs and the Health Minister’s key staff. She told it on behalf of all the women who could not. She told it courageously, honestly and eloquently, always bringing me to tears. There was never a “why me” -just the fierce passion that we must do everything we could so that other women could avoid the anguish of a late-stage diagnosis.

Once Ann told her story, there was never any question in the listener’s mind that a travesty was taking place: that women were being denied information they needed to help find cancer early. Because of Ann, the need for density notification was now on the government’s radar, and they knew they needed to act. Bringing about notification was a process, but Ann’s impact at Queen’s Park got the ball in motion. There was lots to do while we waited for notification to happen, and Ann with her positivity kept the faith. She kept my hopes up when they sometimes faltered. Ann was there every step of the way with me until density notification got done in Ontario.

Ann took every opportunity to educate her fellow Dragon Boat members and the public on breast density risks. She spoke to media, participated in webinars, and made videos. She was also a wonderfully, compassionate support to countless Canadian cancer patients through her dedicated work on the Canadian Cancer Society’s cancerconnection.ca

The achievement of density notification became even more poignant this past week (on Oct 8th) when Ontario began self-referral for women aged 40-49. An additional 300 000 women are expected to have mammograms this year. Now, in addition to all the women 50-74 who are being told their breast density in their mammogram results letter, 100 000+ more women will learn they have dense breasts this year. They will now have the ability to be proactive and seek additional screening. Behind that information in their mammogram results letter with their density category A, B, C, or D and the implications is a woman named Ann Hill who cared about them all. We will never know which women will be moved to seek additional screening, and as a result find cancer early, but it would not surprise me to know that there will be women out there who will thank Ann in their hearts.

Ann Hill was a lovely human being. Her gentleness and kindness shone through in every encounter. She lived life fully with a sense of adventure and she brought joy to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A while ago, I asked her to write a short bio for our revamped website. She wrote that she lives according to her own C words: connection, compassion and community. And that is how she truly lived. She was an inspiration to so many.

Ann once gifted me a blue cushion. It sits on the couch in my office and it has the quote, “Serenity Now.”
Ann was serenity. She knew I had a ways to go to find it, but she always encouraged me to try.
Thank you, Ann, for all you have taught me and all you have given to us.
I love you. I miss you.
To Ann’s daughters, Karen and Alix, and her baby grandson Henry, my heart is with you. Ann’s obituary can be read here https://www.mykeeper.com/AnnHill2

Jennie Dale