Farla Efros, ICRF supporter and volunteer, was just 51 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was 2023, and what followed was a relentless series of challenges: chemotherapy, targeted immunotherapy, a double mastectomy, and surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. At the same time, she endured unimaginable personal loss, grieving the deaths of her sister to cancer and both her parents—her mother to cancer and her father to Alzheimer’s disease.
Today, Efros is proudly NED—“No Evidence of Disease”—a milestone she does not take for granted. Drawing on her experience, Efros wrote Fck Cancer: Commanding a Comeback When Your Body Has Turned on You*. Part memoir, part survival guide, the book combines her personal journey with practical strategies, thought-provoking questions, and mindset shifts for anyone facing adversity.
In recognition of National Cancer Survivors Month, Efros is also championing lifesaving cancer research by supporting ICRF. “I attended a breast cancer education series through ICRF last year and became incredibly passionate about supporting not only Israel, but cancer research as a whole,” she said. “Given the type of cancer I had, if it weren’t for breakthroughs made through research 15 years ago, I probably wouldn’t be here today.” She adds, “If sharing my story or supporting research helps even one person, then it’s worth it.”
Are you a cancer survivor with a story to share? ICRF is launching a series featuring cancer survivors whose experiences highlight the importance of cancer research and offer hope and inspiration to others facing similar journeys. If you are interested in sharing your story, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Erin Silver, erin@erinsilver.ca for more information.
