Glenda was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1955, and moved with her family to the small town of Yarrow, BC, in 1962. She grew up as a small town farm girl with big ideas. She graduated from Chilliwack Secondary School in 1973, and moved to Alberta in 1975 where she lived and worked for the next three years. She met her future husband, Rick, in 1979, and they married in 1982. The couple had their first son, Kevin, two years later in their hometown, Chilliwack, BC, in 1984.

Five years into their marriage, Glenda was diagnosed with bone cancer. After a nine month struggle she eventually lost her entire right leg, including her hip and pelvis, to the disease in January, 1988. Despite her disability she gave birth to their second son in November, 1990, less than three years after her amputation.

‘Choosing to Smile’ is the attitude Glenda adopted early in her journey through her diagnosis and treatment of cancer. She donated countless volunteer hours in her community and has received numerous awards for her efforts including the prestigious Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award in 2005.

Glenda and Rick reside in Chilliwack with their son, Andrew. Their oldest son, Kevin, and his wife, Kimberly, live nearby. Glenda spends her free time speaking, traveling and presenting her unique Smoking Awareness Program for Teens to middle school students. 

For more information check out her website www.glendastandeven.com

Feel free to contact me at Glenda@ChoosingToSmile.com