On October 13, 2023, Colleen Farrell proudly opened the doors to Colleen’s Pub; her second venture and the first she owned entirely on her own. It was a dream years in the making.
Just two days later, on October 15, Colleen received life-changing news: stage 3 lung cancer had returned.
COLLEEN’S FIRST CANCER EXPERIENCE
In May 2016, only a month after losing her sister Joyce to the same disease, Colleen was diagnosed with lung cancer for the first time. After surgery to remove a tumour, she went into remission and moved forward with life, carrying both the grief of her sister’s loss and the determination to live fully.
Seven years later, the cancer was back.
The prognosis was serious, but Colleen’s response was simple and determined: “I have a business to run.”
Colleen began aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments immediately at the QEII Health Sciences Centre — home to the region’s largest and most specialized cancer treatment hospital. For months she spent her days in the QEII Cancer Centre, undergoing treatment. Then she would head straight to the pub to work at night.
She never missed a day.
Her strength and determination quickly became something bigger than one person’s fight. The community rallied around her; regulars, friends, musicians, neighbours, and people who had never even met her before.
On her 70th birthday, Colleen finished her chemotherapy treatments, continuing radiation into early 2024.
Her journey was far from over, but the support around her kept growing.
A COMMUNITY SHOWS UP
In March 2024, the community came together in a powerful show of support for Colleen.
Two Dartmouth venues sold out for the “Colleenapoluza” fundraiser filled with live music, laughter, and hope. Dozens of musicians donated their time and hundreds of people showed up.
The funds raised helped keep Colleen’s Pub open during her treatment and eased the burden of operating costs while she focused on getting well.
But more than the money, it reminded Colleen that she wasn’t fighting alone.
Despite aggressive treatments, side effects and setbacks, Colleen never lost her determination.
She credits her mindset along with an incredible team of doctors, nurses, and staff at the QEII for getting her through.
Then, in November 2024, the news finally came: the treatments had worked! The combination of chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy had eliminated the tumour.
Colleen had overcome cancer for the second time.
WHY INNOVATION MATTERS
Colleen knows firsthand how critical cancer research and funding truly are.
The immunotherapy treatment that helped save her life was still only in clinical trials when her sister Joyce was facing cancer years earlier.
This progress — the result of research, funding and innovation made possible, in part, by donor support through the QEII Foundation and BMO Ride for Cancer — is why Colleen is here today. Every dose of chemotherapy and immunotherapy she received was prepared in the QEII’s Cancer Therapy Preparation Lab; a space funded by BMO Ride for Cancer and QEII Foundation donors.
CREATING TEAM COLLEEN’S CUTIES
When cyclist and longtime BMO Ride for Cancer participant and volunteer committee member, Hugh Bray, approached Colleen about dedicating his 12th annual ride and forming a team in honour of her cancer journey, she was deeply moved.
And so, team ‘Colleen’s Cuties’ was born. A passionate group ready to ride, celebrate survival and honour those lost, the team is raising critical funds to support the leading-edge QEII cancer care that gives people like Colleen a second chance.
Pictured: 12-year rider and team captain of Colleen’s Cuties, Hugh Bray, with his personalized sleeves he updates each BMO Ride with the names of those he fundraises in honour and memory of.
LIVING LIFE FULLY
Beating cancer twice has given Colleen a clear perspective.
“Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed every day”, she says. “2026 will mark 10 years since my sister, Joyce, lost her battle with lung cancer and two years since my own fight.”
Today, Colleen continues running Colleen’s Pub with her sister Michele, her partner Allan, and dedicated staff — all supported by wonderful loyal customers who feel more like family.
She’s also started checking items off her bucket list: travelling and seeing more of the world. But one thing that hasn’t changed is her commitment to those that stood by her.
Colleen is honoured to have a BMO Ride for Cancer team riding in her name and is finding meaningful ways to support them — including hosting an upcoming fundraiser at the pub, with more exciting details to come.
In many ways, it’s a full-circle moment. The same community that showed up for Colleen during her cancer journey is now rallying again — this time to support future patients at the QEII Cancer Centre. With one in two Nova Scotians expected to face cancer in their lifetime, efforts like these will have a direct and immediate impact on the treatment journeys of those we know and love.
And for Colleen, that means everything.
Register now for the 2026 BMO Ride for Cancer Grand Finale event, taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2026. To donate to a team, like Colleen’s Cuties, click here.
Proudly hosted by the QEII Foundation, BMO Ride for Cancer is one of Canada’s top five peer-to-peer cycling events. Since 2015, our BMO Ride for Cancer community has raised over $15 million net (and counting!) to fund cancer-fighting technology, equipment and spaces at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
