Fernwood is deeply saddened to hear of Agnes Pascal's passing.
Agnes was a community builder and a passionate advocate for health justice in the North. She brought together communities of cancer survivors and caregivers to share their experiences, support each other materially, and bring awareness to the unique inequities faced by Northerners with health challenges. We are honoured to have been her publisher; Book of Hope: Healthcare and Survival in the North continues Agnes' legacy of bringing healing into the lives she touched.
We wanted to share an excerpt of Agnes' writing to honour her impact in her own words:
"I’m the type of person who knows there’s light at the end of the tunnel and good always arises out of bad. Cancer has changed my life for the better. I don’t stress over little things anymore. I take each day as a blessing and as an opportunity to be a better person and mother. I met loads of beautiful people along the way who I would have never known if it hadn't been for cancer. When I was struggling alone at times during my journey, I realized the importance of having support. Along with family members, caregivers need a tremendous amount of support to cope. I attended a one-time cancer support group held in Inuvik and saw and felt the difference that connecting with other cancer patients on a personal level can make. I then began our own cancer support group here in Inuvik in 2018. We meet monthly to do all sorts of activities, but mostly sharing circles. Ruth Wright, my medical travel advocate, and Mary Roland both help to run our group. I want to continue to encourage and support others who need that extra friend who cares. I’m challenging myself by working towards a Northern Indigenous Counselling Diploma to gain strong tools to be a better supporter and helper of our people."
Mahsi Cho, Agnes! Long live your legacy.
