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Thank you to Yasmin Gandham and CTV Vancouver for your news coverage.
Written by Yasmin Gandham
CTV News Vancouver Journalist - Aug. 27, 2024 7:58 p.m. PDT
Krista Temple is a two-time Canadian Olympian and silver medalist in the 2012 women’s eight.
Her life changed forever in March, when she learned her cancer was back – and had progressed to Stage 4.
"The first thing I said was, ‘I don’t want to leave my babies,’” said Temple, who is the mother of two children.
“That diagnosis comes with more of an expiry date than the first round. This now becomes: There’s no cure for this, this is a chronic illness.”
Temple was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She discovered it had returned – and had spread to her bones – after trying to open a pickle jar and breaking her arm.
She has since undergone two private treatment sessions, with the cost for each ranging from $100,000 to $120,000.
It’s a massive financial burden – but she’s receiving help from long-time friend Matt Christopherson, who is running from Vancouver to Whistler to raise funds through Project 125.
The initiative’s goal is to help athletes who face similar health challenges.
"I asked myself, how do we inspire people to support someone who truly inspired us, the nation, on the world’s biggest stage? I thought, I have to be able to test my limits both physically and mentally, thats the only way I can inspire others,” said Christopherson.
For Temple, it has been a joy and blessing to have the community support.
"That energy has uplifted me more than anything – from the athletic events to Matt running to people who have jumped on board to support. It keeps me going when I falter,” she said.
Even though Christopherson and Temple had not spoken in over 20 years, since college, he knew he had to support her in her battle.
"Collectively raised close to $60,000 (through a GoFundMe) and at that time I shared with the family, why don't we plan something and do something big?"
Christopherson will be running the same route at the famous RBC GranFondo Whistler – 125 kilometres, non-stop – beginning on Sept. 6. The journey is expected to take two days.
He won’t be the only one crossing the finish line – 10 women, five of them Olympians – will also be biking in the Gran Fondo and raising funds for Temple.
"Founded in honour of Krista Guloien Temple, our all-women cycling team is a testament to resilience, strength, and determination. Comprising 10 passionate and dedicated cyclists, our team draws inspiration from Krista's journey, embodying her spirit of perseverance both on and off the bike.
Krista's personal battle and story with breast cancer resonates deeply with our team, motivating us to break barriers and showcase the power of women in athletics.
Together, we strive to empower each other, support our communities, and promote awareness around breast cancer, as we race towards our goals with grit and grace.
We encourage one another during challenges, and honour the strength within each of us.
We ride not just for ourselves, but for all women who strive to overcome obstacles, drawing from the remarkable legacy of Krista Guloien Temple.
Source: KristaGuloien.com/ride
“So many positives have come out of something so terrifying,” she said.
One such positive is Krista's new role as ambassador for INITIO Medical Group.
My PET scan allowed me to take control of the course of my disease. Because I armed myself with information, I was able to activate the next steps in acquiring treatments. - Krista Guloien Temple
Krista is passionate about empowering individuals facing new health diagnoses. She hopes to utilize this opportunity to educate others on their options, helping them navigate the complexities of their situations with confidence and clarity. By sharing information and resources, Krista aims to enable patients to make informed decisions and advocate for themselves, fostering a supportive community where everyone feels empowered to take control of their health journey.
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