Montreal cancer advocate Nalie Agustin passes away at 33
Posted March 22, 2022 7:45 pm.
Last Updated March 23, 2022 8:18 pm.
Montrealer Nalie Agustin passed away on Tuesday, after a battle with breast cancer that started in 2013.
A post on the 33-year-old cancer advocate, public speaker, social media influencer, and best-selling author’s Instagram reads: “I don’t want to be remembered for the clothes I wear, the things I own, the places I’ve been. I don’t want to be remembered for how I tie a headscarf or how well I pull off short hair. I don’t want to be remembered for the products I recommend, the treatments I have undergone, or even the remedies I practice to heal. I especially don’t want to be remembered for having cancer. I want to be remembered by how I made you feel in my presence. I want to be known as the one who remembered your birthday and went all out
to make it special. I want to be remembered for every time I made you smile or cry tears of joy.”
“I want to be remembered for always giving it my best and, despite how I felt or what was said, I never stopped believing in me – and you. I want to be remembered for the way I loved, purely with all my heart and without barriers. I want to be remembered for the impact I made in your life. I don’t want to be admired, I want you to feel inspired. Through you and your inspired-living is how I wish to leave my legacy.”
CityNews spoke to Agustin back in September of 2021 when she released “The Diary of Nalie.”
“I feel really proud to be Filipino Canadian, sharing my story, because growing up here in Quebec very rarely [do] you see faces of other women of other ethnicities when it comes to breast cancer. I represent a community that would remain more quiet usually,” explained Agustin then.
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“I found it very therapeutic to release my thoughts through writing. I started writing my blog in 2013 and being really public and open about how I felt. Initially, it was just so that I could update my big Filipino family and not have to repeat myself 10,000 times.”
In 2013 Agustin was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and had a recurrence in 2017 – it was a stage 4 diagnosis, as it had spread to her lungs.
“In 2020, unfortunately, when the metastasis went from the lungs to the brain and that was a very traumatic time,” Agustin had explained.
Agustin’s Instagram says, “On behalf of the Agustin and Thakrar family, we thank you for your support and outpouring of love. We thank the Great Spirit for the gift of Nalie’s life. Details on the celebration of Nalie’s life will follow.”
Many posting their condolences and sharing memories.
“I have no words. You inspired so many of us to keep fighting no matter what circumstances life threw our way. You are symbol of hope; you made us see that anything and everything is possible. May you rest in peace,” said Stephen Voyce.
“My heart is broken. I still can’t believe that you are gone. I just heard the news and I’m in disbelief. You are such a wonderful and pure soul that has impacted so many people including mine. Your memory will live on in everyone’s heart. You will always be remembered. Thank you for sharing your truth, courage and vulnerability with all of us. My condolences go to everyone that loved you loved,” wrote Svetlana Chernienko.
