Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group Helps Women Journey Together
Published Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Patti Lagrange, Cindy Brand, and Lori Lamke welcome all breast cancer patients and survivors to join the Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group, which meets at St. Michael's and All Angels Anglican Church on Red River Road.
Facing breast cancer can feel like a bleak, helpless experience. Some women feel utterly alone, even if they have family to support them. There is no way to understand exactly what breast cancer patients and survivors go through unless you've been through it yourself.
That's why since the 1990s, the Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group has helped women at every stage of their journeys with friendship, support, and sisterhood. Women also share understanding that family members can't give. Instead of bleak, women get hope. Instead of helpless, women get empowerment.
“When I was diagnosed in December 2023, I didn't know anyone who had breast cancer,” said Lori Lamke.
Even though Lori is generally an upbeat person, the group gave her invaluable support and understanding.
“One woman in particular, it felt like she lifted me up and held me in her hands,” said Lori, who recently joined the Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group Steering Committee. “Now, I want to give that back to somebody and share the load with people like Patti who have done it so long.”
That Patti is Patti Lagrange, a long-time member of both the group and the steering committee. Patti remembers the support the group gave her soon after her own diagnosis in 2014.
“I got my diagnosis, and I cried for two days,” Patti said. “Then I said, “Okay, that's it. That's over. Now, we're just going to do what we need to do.'”
Patti said that she is a strong believer in the idea that knowledge is power. Sharing personal accounts with others is one way to gain that power.
“I found out about the group from my friend Kim, who had been through it the year before,” Patti said. “I wanted to tell my story, and I wanted to hear the stories of other women.”
The Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group alternates between meetings and craft sessions, where women do a fun activity together. The group receives operational funding through your donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and your Thunder Bay 50/50 ticket purchases.
“When I joined, there were quite a lot of people. But it's a very small group now,” Patti said.
Part of that may have been COVID. But she also wonders how many women know about the group.
“There are some people that come who are really, really struggling. They need that support and uplift and assurance that there is a light. That's what this group can give them,” Patti said.
Lori agreed. Although every cancer journey is different, they have many things in common. For example, almost all women fear the cancer coming back, she said. Lori's message is that there's no use worrying about it.
“We never know what's going to happen tomorrow anyway, so why let that possibility change my life? I had breast cancer, I conquered it, and now I'm living my life the way I want to, no matter what tomorrow brings.”
Patti said that part of what motivates her to help other women was the help her friend Kim gave her from the very beginning, including introducing Patti into the group.
“Unfortunately, we have since lost Kim,” Patti said. “She was very special to me. ‘Keep soldiering on,' was her mantra. So, I keep soldiering on for her.”
The Thunder Bay Breast Cancer Support Group welcomes all breast cancer patients and survivors. All are invited to the next event, the Survivor Tea on October 19, 1pm at Howl at the Moon. For more information: tbbcsg@gmail.com