About Us
Learn about Team Heather and The Heather Cutler Foundation, our mission to support pancreatic cancer patients through advocacy, education, and comprehensive resources. Join us in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
Honouring Heather Cutler and Her Journey with Pancreatic Cancer
A nurse of thirty-five years, a loving Mother and Wife, a dedicated friend, and an unexpected warrior—Heather Cutler embodied resilience and compassion. Her journey with pancreatic cancer was a battle fought with unwavering strength and an indomitable spirit. Heather’s dedication to her family and her patients was paralleled only by her courage in facing one of the most aggressive cancers. The publication Team Heather and the formation of The Heather Cutler Foundation is a testament to her legacy, aiming to provide support and resources for others navigating similar challenges.
Our Mission
The mission of Heather Cutler Foundation is rooted in the tireless efforts of our Mother, Heather Cutler and our family’s journey through the complexities of pancreatic cancer treatment. We are dedicated to advocating self-advocacy in smaller healthcare settings, where patients often face significant hurdles in accessing timely and effective care. Heather waited more than two months after diagnosis to start chemotherapy. We believe that patients can significantly improve their chances of managing this aggressive disease with the correct information, resources, and support.
All the lessons learned—the highs, the lows, the little tips and tricks we learned over a two—year period—will go to waste if we don’t continue to share and guide each other as a community of those touched by Pancreatic Cancer.
Who We Are
I’m Christopher, ”Heather’s son,” but you’ll be reading contributions from my father, Barry, my sister, Bethany, and other family and friends, and are always welcoming guest contributors.
I felt it appropriate to keep the website very family-oriented, as that’s who my Mother was. Very quickly, she was thrown into a healthcare system that sometimes gets lost in itself.
I decided to apply my academic background and my “obsession“ over the past two years, which was moving whatever mountains we had to with my family to give my Mom the best chance possible.
So many all-nighters combing through Google Digest alerts, AI tools, the Reddit sub r/Pancreatic Cancer, comparing treatments in Canada and the US, getting lost in the endless phone calls, unanswered emails and unneeded complication of it all that should not come with ”being a cancer patient.” That’s what drove me to create this platform.
We aim to share the knowledge and insights gained during this journey to help others avoid the delays and frustrations of navigating the healthcare system while preserving the personal and ensuring people don’t just become statistics.
Heather Cutler Foundation officially registered with the province of Ontario on July 21, 2024. We are currently selecting our initial board members.
Board of Directors
Christopher Cutler
Director, Contributor
Christopher is both the founder and a regular contributor of Team Heather and the Heather Cutler Foundation. He is also a registered publisher and SOCAN member. Christopher attended language programs in both Tokyo, Japan and National Central University in Taiwan and is currently an Asian Studies major.
Languages Spoken:
English, Japanese, Mandarin (Chinese)
Barry Cutler
Director
Barry is a retired barber and a prior Small Business owner having successfully ran Straight Edge Barbers for years.
Xianjie Li
Executive Financial Officer, Contributor
Xianjie is a graduate of the University of Toronto and a current Masters student at Georgia Tech. Born in Chongqing (China), Xianjie (Jeremy) has resided in Toronto for over ten years.
Languages Spoken:
English, Mandarin (Chinese)
Bethany
Director
Bethany is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Languages Spoken:
English, French
Deanne Matsushima
Artistic Director
Deanne is a Hawaii native and currently resides in Japan.
What We Offer
- ℹ️ Comprehensive Information: We provide clear, relevant and up-to-date information on pancreatic cancer, including the latest research, treatment options, and advancements in the field.
- 📣 Advocacy and Support: We are passionate about empowering patients to advocate for themselves, particularly in smaller healthcare settings where access to specialized care can be limited.
- 📝 Resources and Tips: Our platform offers practical tips and resources to help patients and their families manage the disease more effectively, reducing delays and improving outcomes.
Upcoming Plans
- 🎙️Podcast Launch: We will launch a podcast series featuring interviews with medical professionals, researchers, and patients. The series will provide diverse perspectives and valuable insights into living with pancreatic cancer.
- Expanded Resources: Our website will continue to grow, adding more detailed guides, checklists, and tools like Clinical Trial Assist to assist patients and their families.
- 📒 Educational Materials: Pancreatic Cancer Starter Pack (ISBN: 978-1-0689589-0-8) and educational campaign Small Towns BIG Voices (978-1-0689589-1-5 ) slated for release before year end to promote Pancreatic Cancer advocacy and education.
- ✍️ Guest Authors: We welcome guest authors, especially those living with pancreatic cancer, to share their stories and experiences, fostering a supportive and informative community.
- Non-Profit Status: We are working towards establishing non-profit status to serve the community better and expand our outreach efforts.
Location
The Heather Cutler Foundation
Team Heather
7 Osmond Place
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland
A1N 4L2
Canada
Business Information
Corporate Registry Number: 1643633-1
Business Number: 743014227
ISBN Prefix: 978-1-068
DUNS Number: 243324698
Incorporation Date: 2024-10-11
Registered under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act
Purpose
The Heather Cutler Foundation is committed to providing relief, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by pancreatic cancer. Key objectives include:
Relieve Suffering: Offer comprehensive support programs to alleviate the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of patients and their families.
Advance Education: Promote awareness about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options to foster early detection and better management strategies.
Promote Health: Advocate for healthcare rights, facilitate access to services, and build a supportive community for patients and families.
Engage the Community: Mobilize efforts to increase access to care and reduce interprovincial disparities in clinical trials and treatment.
Contact Information
Main Line: +1 (844) 665-5137
General Inquiries: [email protected]
Publication Inquiries: [email protected]
Join Us
We invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you are a patient, a caregiver, a medical professional, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, your involvement and support are invaluable. Together, we can honour Heather’s legacy and make a meaningful impact in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
Contact Us
We are always actively looking for guest authors or others who would like to share their experiences advocating for themselves or loved ones. For more information or to get involved, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected].
Alternatively, use our contact form and someone from Team Heather will reach out to you.
Community Guidelines
At Team Heather, we value a respectful and supportive community. Our Community Guidelines outline the standards we uphold to ensure a positive and safe environment for everyone. Read the full guidelines.
This placement will make the guidelines accessible to users who are already engaged with the content, ensuring they understand the community standards as they interact with the site.