By Dana Cantelo, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Verduyn Tarps Inc. (Hamilton)

At Verduyn Tarps, we believe that every tarp tells a story. For one of our customers, that story goes far beyond trucking. When long-time driver Karen Dschaakpurchased an Eagle Tarp System, she transformed it into a powerful tribute to her niece, Meaghan Bennett—a young woman courageously battling breast cancer. With a striking pink ribbon design, the tarp not only honors Meaghan’s strength but also spreads awareness for breast cancer across highways throughout North America.

Meeting Meaghan in person and speaking with her about her journey was truly awe-inspiring. Her success so far is no doubt due to her self-recognition that she can handle all the challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis—so that she can come out the other side sharing her story of perseverance, hope, and resilience.

In early 2023, Meaghan’s life took a sharp turn—one that would test her resilience, strength, and courage in ways she never imagined. She was supposed to be enrolled in the High Risk Ontario Breast Screening Program due to her family history. At just 25 years old, she went for her first mammogram—only to be turned away and told she was “too young.” She had, in effect, fallen through the cracks. This denial led to a late-stage diagnosis, like many women in Ontario, where the standard age for screening is 40 years old.

Scrolling social media one day, Meaghan came across a TikTok video teaching women how to perform a breast self-examination. Acting on instinct, Meaghan checked herself and felt a lump—the size of a strawberry. Within weeks, it had grown to the size of a peach. Overnight, it swelled to 9cm, accompanied by all the unmistakable signs of breast cancer.

For Meaghan, this was not just any diagnosis. She became the fifth generation in her family to face breast cancer—and she was facing the most aggressive form.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In March 2023, after feeling the rapidly growing lump, Meaghan’s fears were confirmed. She was just 30 years old when she received her official diagnosis: triple inflammatory IDC-L breast cancer positive. As if life wasn’t already overwhelming enough, the same year her dad underwent a triple-bypass surgery following a heart attack. The family leaned on each other during recovery—bonding over their scars, surgeries, and struggles, often using humor to survive the darkest moments.

Meaghan’s treatment began quickly after she finally connected with a surgeon in Ottawa, Ontario who wasted no time setting her on the right path. From September to December 2023, she endured one of the toughest chemotherapy regimens: the “Red Devil,” administered for four weeks, followed by four weeks of a breast cancer specific chemotherapy called Taxol. At just 31, she was the youngest patient on the chemo floor. She underwent a single mastectomy and had a port installed (which she had for 15 months) to begin chemotherapy. 20% of her tumour was still active and there was evidence it had gone to two of her lymph nodes. She had to have 16 removed and tested and put on 10 more months of a breast cancer specific chemo called Kadcyla.

Today, her treatment plan includes hormone therapy (at least for the next 10 years) and ongoing monitoring to safeguard her recovery. Meaghan and her mom, who also underwent a mastectomy years earlier, affectionately refer to their matching scars as “we fit together like a puzzle piece.”

Before her diagnosis, Meaghan was a professional dog-walker, instantly recognizable by her long, naturally red hair—her signature look and security blanket. Losing both her hair and part of her body to cancer forced her to face herself in an entirely new way.

The Biggest Challenge, the Biggest Lesson

“The biggest challenge that I have faced is accepting that my life is much different now, and that I’m no longer on the same path as my peers. But my biggest lesson would be that it’s okay, and that I’m stronger than I ever thought I could be,” Meaghan shares.

She adds that she now has a new appreciation for “bad days” that really aren’t so bad, and she lives with an “unapologetically me” attitude because we never truly know how short life can be.

Through this journey, Meaghan has also found self-love, something that didn’t come easily when she first had to face her reflection without her long red hair and without the body parts that once made her feel feminine.

Using Humor to Heal

Meaghan has used—and continues to use—humour to heal and to document her journey. From making memes about nosebleeds, to proudly updating her driver’s license photo featuring her bold new “do,” she speaks directly to a younger audience. Her message: breast cancer doesn’t have to define you, and even on the darkest days, there are ways to find light and laughter.

Advocating for Awareness

In the early days after discovering her lump and waiting for an official diagnosis, Meaghan frantically searched Reddit, looking for comfort and community during one of the scariest times of her life. She wanted to find similar stories—especially from women who were young, like her.

This experience reinforced to Meaghan how critical it is to create awareness around early detection and self-advocacy for young females. She knows how different her life could have looked if her diagnosis had come earlier, when she was first suspicious.

Meaghan’s hope is that by telling her story, it gets shared and inspires people outside her circle to take action. If just one young person follows through after a self-exam and gets checked by a doctor—even if it turns out to be a precautionary measure with no serious outcome—she feels that this simple act helps normalize the importance of self-examination. And if it does lead to early detection, it could completely change the course of someone’s treatment and their future.

Hope on the Highway

While Meaghan was enduring the harsh realities of cancer treatment, her aunt and uncle, Karen and Bill Dschaak—both long-haul truckers—looked for a way to show support. Karen had often wondered how she could be there for her niece while separated by long stretches on the road. The answer came in the form of their truck and its Eagle Tarp System from Verduyn Tarps.

What began as a blank blue tarp in 2022 was transformed into a vibrant pink design featuring the word “hope” boldly displayed. The Eagle Tarp System, known for its durability and safety features, became a rolling billboard that carried Meaghan’s message across highways. Strong enough to protect cargo and striking enough to catch the eye of everyone following Karen’s truck, it proved the perfect foundation for a tribute of profound meaning.

Countless people behind the truck—personally affected by breast cancer or connected through a loved one—have paused to reflect or share a moment of connection. For many, the sight of the tarp brings comfort, a reminder that they are not alone.

“I felt so supported and honoured by her choice to use her truck as a beacon of hope for me,” Meaghan says. “It was especially important to me that the word hope was included on the back to inspire anyone following her.”

Every mile Karen drives sparks awareness and conversation, reminding others touched by cancer that they are not alone. For Meaghan, it feels as if her aunt is carrying her story across the country—even when she cannot physically be there.

A Ripple of Hope

Meaghan’s story is more than a journey through breast cancer—it is a testament to the power of hope, awareness, and connection. She emphasizes the importance of having a positive outlook, knowing how deeply it shapes not only your mindset but also your overall recovery.

She continues to advocate for early detection, self-exams, and open conversations, especially for young women who may not realize they can be at risk. And through the rolling pink tarp her aunt drives across highways and backroads, her message is shared with countless others—spreading not only awareness, but a ripple of hope.

Looking Forward

Meaghan knows her journey is not over yet. She expects to undergo two surgeries in early 2026—one to remove two smaller but concerning tumors that remain, and the other to begin her reconstructive journey with tissue expanders. This excites her as a step toward regaining her sense of self and identity.

She continues to have a strong support network, including a long-term partner who has stood by her side throughout this journey and has never made her feel anything less than the woman he first met.

Meaghan also hopes to share her story in person with as many young women as possible, through public speaking engagements and perhaps even a school tour, inspiring others to advocate for their own health and practice self-exams.

But today, she moves forward with resilience, humour, and love for the life she’s fought so hard to keep.

Her story is a reminder to us all: check yourself, advocate for yourself, and never underestimate the power of hope.

Author’s Reflection

From the perspective of the author, it feels as though Meaghan was specifically chosen for this journey because of her positive and outgoing nature, remarkable strength and resilience, and determination to advocate for awareness and early detection of breast cancer. Her unique ability to use humor to heal and normalize her journey prepares other young women facing the same diagnosis to feel a sense of community and support—a gift that makes her story both inspiring and profoundly impactful.

Meaghan’s unique position as an observer, supporter, caregiver, and patient of breast cancer qualifies her to be the poster child for early breast cancer awareness.

Her outlook on her journey is admirable. She is almost grateful for the turn her life has taken because it has allowed her to look at life from a completely new perspective—where what really matters is spending moments with people you care about and not sweating the small stuff.

Verduyn Tarps is dedicated to supporting Meaghan on her breast cancer journey and sharing her story from coast to coast.

And this is not the end of Meaghan’s story or hearing about it! She was called and meant to spread her story for all to hear, inspiring hope, awareness, and empowerment for young women everywhere.

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