Published: August 2026
At first, the symptoms were easy to dismiss. Ziyada Callender was tired. Her back and stomach ached. Having recently started a new role at work, she assumed the discomfort was the result of a busy schedule and the stress that came with it. She had always been healthy.
Born and raised in Montreal, Ziyada grew up in an athletic family. Both her parents were bodybuilders, and her father was Mr. Canada and Mr. Universe. Sports and fitness were woven into everyday life, and staying active was simply part of who she was.
More than 20 years ago, Ziyada moved to Ottawa to pursue a career in television news. She built a life, working at CTV News, raising her son, and embracing the kind of active lifestyle that Ottawa readily facilitates. “I was always active,” said Ziyada. “I never really thought of myself as someone who got sick.”
It wasn’t until she noticed blood in her stool that she realized something wasn’t right.
Trusting her gut instinct
At first, Ziyada assumed the bleeding was an isolated incident. But when it continued, she knew she needed answers. Around that same time, she happened to see a television tribute for actor Chadwick Boseman, who died of colorectal cancer in 2020 at just 43 years old. During the broadcast, his widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, encouraged people to pay attention to changes in their bodies and seek medical care if something didn’t feel right.
“I remember thinking, ‘This is a sign for me,’” said Ziyada.
She went to see a doctor and although she was initially told the bleeding was likely caused by hemorrhoids, she trusted her instincts and requested a colonoscopy.
An unexpected diagnosis
The colonoscopy revealed a polyp in Ziyada’s rectosigmoid colon. It was removed in several pieces and sent to pathology for testing.
A few days later, she received her results. Ziyada was diagnosed with Stage 1 rectosigmoid cancer.
“One moment I was living my normal life, and the next I was being told I had cancer.”
“It was terrifying,” said Ziyada. “Everything happened so quickly. One moment I was living my normal life, and the next I was being told I had cancer.”
Because the polyp had been removed in several pieces, doctors couldn’t determine with certainty whether it had been completely removed. There was a possibility that cancer cells could remain in the area or spread to nearby lymph nodes.
A minimally invasive approach
Ziyada was referred to The Ottawa Hospital, where she met with Dr. Rebecca Auer, a cancer surgeon, researcher, and Executive Vice-President of Research and Innovation. Together, they discussed her options, including close monitoring or surgery.
“When we have a case like Ziyada’s, we look carefully at the risks and benefits of each option and help the patient make a decision that is right for them,” said Dr. Auer. “Surgery gave us the opportunity to examine the surrounding lymph nodes and confirm whether there was any cancer remaining.”
Ziyada decided to move forward with laparoscopic surgery, and in June 2023, a section of her rectosigmoid colon and 33 nearby lymph nodes were removed.
Rather than requiring a large incision, laparoscopic surgery uses a camera and specialized instruments inserted through several small, keyhole-like openings. This minimally invasive technique can mean less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery, helping patients like Ziyada return to their everyday lives more quickly.
The surgery was successful. There was no remaining cancer in the section of colon that was removed, and none of the 33 lymph nodes contained cancer. For Ziyada, it was a moment of relief. Supported by family and friends, she gradually recovered, returning to work and rebuilding her life. “It felt like I could finally take a breath,” said Ziyada.
Another unexpected turn
But that sense of relief didn’t last long.
During regular follow-up imaging, doctors noticed a four-millimetre spot on Ziyada’s lung. At the time, it was considered an indeterminate lung nodule, which isn’t uncommon and doesn’t necessarily indicate cancer. Because it was so small, it could not be biopsied. Instead, her care team continued to monitor it closely.
Over time, the nodule grew and a PET scan showed signs that it could be cancerous. In June 2024, just one year after her colon surgery, surgeons at The Ottawa Hospital removed the nodule and testing confirmed the colorectal cancer had spread to her lung.
“It was a huge shock,” said Ziyada. “After everything I had already been through, I never expected to hear that.”
As she recovered from her second successful surgery, Ziyada was referred to The Ottawa Hospital’s Wellness Beyond Cancer Program, which helps cancer survivors transition into personalized follow-up care. Through the program, Ziyada received a plan outlining ongoing tests and appointments required based on her specific cancer diagnosis, giving her greater clarity on the care and monitoring she needed in the months and years ahead.
“I can’t do everything I used to do. But I can still walk.”
As she continued to heal, Ziyanda also found herself returning to something that had always been part of her life: staying active. Walking became a way to rebuild her strength, clear her mind, and process everything she had been through — the frightening diagnosis, the surgeries, the uncertainty, and the people who helped her through it all. Each step was a reminder that despite everything she went through, she was able to move forward.
“I can’t do everything I used to do,” said Ziyada. “But I can still walk.”
One step at a time
Today, that determination has become something much bigger.
On August 29, Ziyada set out to walk nearly 240 kilometres from her hometown of Montreal to The Ottawa Hospital’s Cancer Centre. She is raising funds for cancer research while encouraging others to listen to their bodies and seek medical attention if something doesn’t feel right.
For Ziyada, every kilometre carries meaning. The walk honours the healthcare team that helped save her life, while supporting the groundbreaking research that continues to transform cancer care for patients across our region. Because when patients have access to expert, specialized and individualized care close to home, lives can be changed — and saved.
