United Through Adversity: A Story of Friendship, Resilience, and Hope

In the blink of an eye, best friends Vanna Ceccarelli and Sarah Multari—inseparable since their high school days—found their lives upended by back-to-back breast cancer diagnoses. Their journey, defined by resilience, mutual support, and the exceptional care they both received at North York General Hospital (NYGH), serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of friendship and the critical importance of advocating for one’s health.

United Through Adversity: A Story of Friendship, Resilience, and Hope

A Lifelong Bond and a Diagnosis

Vanna and Sarah first met in grade 10 at Toronto’s St. Basil-The-Great College School, their lockers inexplicably placed side by side despite the alphabetical mismatch of their last names.

“Vanna would always look up at me and sing this song called ‘Sarah’,” Sarah recalls with a laugh. Though their initial impressions of each other were quirky, they quickly became inseparable. Best friends through thick and thin, the two were present at each other’s weddings, the births of their children, and even became godparents to each other’s kids.
In 2013, Vanna noticed a lump in her breast, but like many people, she initially dismissed it as nothing more than a muscle strain. After a mammogram, she was told it was more serious—it was a mass.

“The first thing that went through my mind was my kids,” Vanna said, her voice thick with emotion. “What were they going to go through, what were they going to see?”

Initially, Vanna thought she would seek treatment at a downtown hospital, believing they offered the best care, but her doctor recommended Dr. Nancy Down, a breast surgeon at NYGH.

“I left my first appointment with Dr. Down thinking, ‘this is my doctor,’” Vanna shares. “She was professional, sympathetic and knowledgeable. I didn’t think for one more moment about going anywhere else.”

Vanna’s treatment, which included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, took place over several months, with the staff at NYGH providing her with unwavering support and comfort throughout her journey. “The nurses were amazing,” she added. “It’s a calling to be a nurse.”

Sarah’s Diagnosis

Just as Vanna was wrapping up her treatment, Sarah, concerned by her friend’s experience, decided to schedule her own overdue mammogram. She had a history of a benign fibroadenoma, but this time, something felt off. Trusting her gut, Sarah pushed for further testing, despite initial reassurances from other medical professionals.

In April 2014, she was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, an uncommon and daunting diagnosis. “I was a mess,” Sarah remembered. “I knew this wasn’t going to be good.”

Sarah, too, sought the expertise of Dr. Down at NYGH. After her surgery, she underwent a more aggressive treatment regimen, including both light and intense rounds of chemotherapy, famously dubbed the “Red Devil.” Her treatment spanned months, with radiation overlapping due to the nature of her bilateral cancer.

Supporting Each Other

Throughout their respective battles with cancer, Vanna and Sarah were each other’s pillars of strength. When Vanna was undergoing treatment, Sarah and her family stepped in to help with her children, offering rides and emotional support. When Sarah was diagnosed, Vanna returned the favour. They say their friendship deepened further as they shared their fears, their hopes, and their determination to fight the disease.

Happily, the pair are now both cancer-free and living life to the fullest. They say they’re deeply grateful for the exceptional care they received at North York General, particularly from Dr. Nancy Down, who not only provided expert medical treatment but made them feel truly seen and supported throughout their journeys.

“You think in these moments that you need to go to the biggest hospitals, but North York General was home for both of us,” Sarah adds, “And we’re so grateful.”

Fundraising Focus: NYGH Urgently Requires New Mammography System

NYGH has long been a leader in breast imaging. However, wait times for mammography services are currently higher than the provincial average, with patients waiting up to 56 days. With a projected 50% increase in patient volume this fall due to new government guidelines, NYGH urgently needs to expand its mammography capabilities with a fourth system. Reach out to Laura Cuthbertson (Laura.Cuthbertson@nygh.on.ca) to find out how you can help.