Manon is the creator of Dragonfly. She has a Master’s degree in Psychology from Laval University. She spent 20 years of her career conducting qualitative research in psychosocial oncology at the Ontario Breast Cancer Community Research Initiative, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Women’s College Research Institute, Cancer Care Ontario and SickKids. Her research interests have focused on health services utilization, information needs; the financial impact of a diagnosis and qualitative descriptions of cancer patients and their spouses’ issues and experiences with illness. She was involved in several researches investigating the experiences of women with breast cancer from marginalized and underrepresented groups such as francophone women, young women, lower-income women, and women in rural areas. With her experience in working with various groups of individuals affected by cancer and most recently her own diagnosis, Manon intends to use her skills and knowledge to foster this community initiative.
Laura is a certified fitness and yoga instructor. She strongly believes in the benefits of physical activities during and after cancer treatments. As a cancer survivor herself, Laura understands the fear associated with getting the dreaded diagnostic. Since her breast cancer diagnosis, Laura has volunteered at the King-Aurora Hospice leading yoga classes for cancer survivors. In the past 18 months, she has attended several specialized yoga seminars on ‘yoga for cancer survivors’ and ‘yoga for breast health’. Laura believes that there are so many ways yoga can help women on their healing journey. It can help detoxify the body, improve the immune system, improve sleep and digestion, and help provide a sense of well-being and inner connection.