On September 6, 2025, thousands will lace up for The Princess Margaret’s Walk to Conquer Cancer, a half-marathon through Toronto that has already raised more than $195 million for groundbreaking research. Among them is Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker, who will take the stage as opening ceremony impact speaker. After her own courageous breast cancer journey at The Princess Margaret, Jeanne is using her platform to advocate for early detection and support research that saves lives. With her signature flair—including custom Carry The Fire sneakers designed by Ron White—she’s stepping into this milestone moment with hope, gratitude, and purpose. —Noa Nichol
Jeanne, you’ve long been celebrated as a Canadian style icon. How does it feel to step into this new role—as the opening ceremony impact speaker for The Princess Margaret Walk to Conquer Cancer—bringing both your fashion voice and your personal cancer journey to the stage?
It’s always been a joy connecting with people via the subject of fashion and style—But one of the true silver linings of my cancer journey was that it opened another kind of door for me: Suddenly, I had access to another, more meaningful platform, one that enabled me to converse on a whole other level, sharing my personal story, hearing inspiring stories and exchanging insights with a wide range of amazing people I may have never met before. It’s both a thrill and a privilege to be able to take the stage at The Princess Margaret Walk to Conquer Cancer , and not only share my story, but hopefully inspire others.
You’ve been very open about your breast cancer experience. What message do you hope to share with participants at this year’s Walk about strength, survivorship, and early detection?
My mission is ultimately to normalize the conversation surrounding cancer, and hopefully eradicate the fear associated with it. Early on in my journey, the very first time I realized I was to go to The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for my treatments, I decided to view it as my “temple of healing”, and that certainly helped me put a positive spin on my entire experience there. I also decided that I would view my diagnosis as the opportunity to prove to myself that I was everything I always said I was: fearless and tenacious. I was determined to live in the light and I knew that my journey would make me a bigger, bolder, wiser, stronger and braver person. And it certainly did! In terms of early detection—well, we all know that’s key. But it’s up to every individual to be vigilant and listen carefully to their own bodies. With early detection, many cancers are not only treatable but can be curable.
The Carry The Fire shoe, designed by your friend Ron White, will be part of your Walk look. Can you tell us what it means to have your personal style—and this symbolic piece—woven into such an emotional milestone?
It’s so wonderfully exciting that Ron agreed so wholeheartedly to design this luxury sneaker in honour of The Walk, to benefit the “Carry the Fire” campaign. Sure, it’s only a shoe—and fashion can be so superficial. But in this case, it’s about our personal style and how we move through the world. And with each step we take in our “Carry the Fire” sneakers, I’m hoping we’re all getting one step closer to living in a world free from the fear of cancer.
The Princess Margaret team has been central to your journey. Can you share what their support meant to you, and how it feels to now be walking in support of their groundbreaking research?
There are no words to express my gratitude to that amazing team of rockstar doctors, angelic nurses, brilliant technicians, and ultra kind caregivers who made my cancer journey and treatment at Princess Margaret such an extraordinary experience. It sounds a little crazy, but I honestly feel it was one of the most amazing years of my life! And the care that I continue to get there is so incredible. I’m so proud to be able to walk in support of the groundbreaking cancer research that goes on at The Princess Margaret, and feel especially proud to be part of this awesome, courageous, and compassionate community.
October 2024 marked a major change in breast cancer screening guidelines, with the starting age lowered from 50 to 40. As someone who has gone through this journey, how do you view the importance of earlier screening and awareness?
Early screening, and additional screening for those of us with dense breasts, is of paramount importance. As I stated earlier, early detection is key. If found early, most breast cancers are not only treatable but curable. Why wouldn’t everyone want to be screened?
Researchers at The Princess Margaret are developing a blood test that could detect cancer in stage 0. How does it feel to know that the funds raised through the Walk are directly helping to advance this kind of life-saving innovation?
This is yet another exhilarating reason to take part in the Walk! It’s mind boggling when you think of how far we’ve come in the quest to cure cancer. And it’s heart swelling to think of how much further we’ll be able to go with the passionate support of this devoted community and all its generous donors.
Your career has been built on style, confidence, and reinvention. Has your breast cancer journey changed how you approach personal style, beauty, and even confidence in your everyday life?
There’s no question that my breast cancer journey made me a stronger, more confident individual. And we all know that confidence and great style go hand in hand. My cancer journey also left me with an extreme sense of gratitude, and somehow, that has ignited a fire in my soul to make the most of each and every day. In a funny way, losing most of my hair, my eyebrows and my eyelashes during my journey also brought me down to earth a bit: It was humbling experience, and once that reminded me not to take myself too seriously!
Finally, what does walking alongside thousands of people—survivors, caregivers, loved ones—at the Walk to Conquer Cancer symbolize for you personally, and what do you hope participants carry home from the experience?
Being a part of this wondrous cancer community is the greatest gift I could imagine. In walking together for this vital cause, I hope we all realize that no one is alone, and with courage and hope, the possibilities are limitless.