Raphaëlle Tousignant, a pioneer as the first woman to represent Canada in a major international para hockey event, recently shared the news of her breast cancer diagnosis. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she expressed her unexpected journey with the disease, emphasizing her resilience in facing past adversities both on and off the ice.
Having lost her leg to bone cancer at the age of 10, Tousignant hailing from Terrebonne, Quebec, joined the Canadian women’s Para hockey team at just 14 years old. She quickly rose as a key player within the program and made history by becoming the first woman to be selected for Canada’s national team at a world championship in 2023.
At 23 years old, Tousignant had her sights set on becoming the first female para hockey athlete to compete for Canada at the 2026 Paralympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy. Although the Paralympic para hockey category allows for mixed-gender teams, only a few women, including Tousignant, have participated in the Games.
Despite the challenges posed by her diagnosis, Tousignant remains determined to pursue her Paralympic dream. She views the upcoming months, originally intended for intense training leading up to the Games, as an opportunity to continue her journey with newfound purpose and dedication.
Reflecting on her achievements, Tousignant highlighted her contribution to Canada’s silver-winning performance at the world women’s Para hockey championships in Slovakia. She views her current battle with cancer as another chapter in her life story, emphasizing her commitment to facing each day with courage and surrounded by love and unwavering determination.