“I’m a professional makeup artist and I also spend time telling people my story as a cancer survivor – it’s a big part of my life. I also share the story of how I became religious. I’m a “baal teshuva”: I wasn’t always religious, but have been now for nine years. When I was growing up, I was a party animal and a little bit crazy. When I got sick, I started to make the connection to my Judaism.”

“We met when we were both on this journey exploring Judaism at the same time, independent of each other. We got married in Israel and lived there for a few years until we came back to Montreal. I also did not grow up religious or feeling too connected to Judaism. It’s been a very long road for both of us, but we now live across the street from the synagogue where our son goes every day.”

“I like working with the community a lot! I’m very involved with Israel Cancer Research Fund, and started a foundation there when I was sick. It’s called Amanda’s Live Laugh and Learn Fund and I’m very involved. Every day, because I went through what I went through, people are always reaching out to me. I’m always hearing of people who are sick and the things that they overcame, and I’m inspired by every survivor and everyone who’s going through it.”

Category: People