We’re proud to share that Verduyn Tarps was recently featured in Women Driving Change Magazine with the article “Rolling Forward, a Family Knit Together by a Pink Ribbon.” (Read the full feature here)
And the timing couldn’t be more fitting: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in both Canada and the United States — a time when stories of strength, advocacy, and community matter most. Meaghan’s journey, and the way her family chose to bring it to the highways through a bold pink tarp, reminds us that awareness isn’t just about a ribbon — it’s about real people, real struggles, and the hope that carries us forward.
What You’ll Find in the Feature
In the published piece, you’ll read:
- How Meaghan first suspected something was wrong and faced barriers getting screened due to her age.
- The aggressive diagnosis she faced (inflammatory, triple-negative) and the intense treatment path that followed.
- How her aunt and uncle, long-haul truckers, transformed an Eagle Tarp into a “rolling billboard” of a pink ribbon and the word “hope” — driving awareness across highways.
- Meaghan’s reflections on identity, strength, humor, and advocacy — especially for young women who might be at risk of falling through the cracks
But while the article captures the heart of her story, our conversations with Meaghan offered moments too moving to leave behind.
A Few Moments You Didn’t See (Until Now)…
The Tarp, the Surprise, and Its Owner
When Karen and Bill Dschaak first shared the pink tarp design with Meaghan, it was a total surprise. At Verduyn Tarps, we’re looking forward to welcoming Karen back for scheduled maintenance this Spring, giving us the chance to contribute an updated design in honour of Meaghan sharing her story publicly.
Karen’s own journey makes this tribute even more meaningful. Several years ago, she survived a trucking rollover accident that should have been fatal, breaking her back in the process. Her positivity and humor throughout that difficult recovery not only helped her heal but also get back on the road—qualities that continue to inspire everyone who knows her.
Laughter in the Darkest Times
Being young and living through cancer brought unique challenges, which Meaghan met with resilience, creativity, and humor. She documented her journey through photos, hospital bracelets, and small moments, and plans to share her story on Instagram to inspire a community where few voices like hers are visible. During chemo, she used Snapchat to joke about side effects, referencing cultural moments familiar to her generation. These moments of levity helped her reclaim agency, find connection, and turn humor into a source of healing. Supported by her loved ones, laughter became an essential way to navigate the mental and emotional toll of treatment.
The Weight of Family Legacy
Watching her grandmother pass from breast cancer made the disease deeply personal. “It’s weird to be faced with your own mortality and know how it could all end,” she reflected. Yet her mother’s positive mindset—seven years post-treatment and thriving—became a model for Meaghan, who mirrored that optimism in her own journey. Sharing struggles, surgeries, and stories with her family offered unexpected but invaluable support along the way.
The Next Steps — Navigating a New Life
Meaghan is learning to navigate her “new life,” balancing ongoing treatments with career growth and advocacy. She hopes to use her story to raise awareness about early detection, particularly for younger women, and to ensure others don’t face the same barriers she did.
Dreams of marriage, family planning, and long-term stability are now layered with new realities — from ongoing treatments that will continue for at least the next ten years, to the impact those treatments have on her overall health. She spoke openly about being in the trenches of chemical menopause, and the emotional, mental, and physical toll that brings. Even amid these challenges, Meaghan remains determined to move forward with purpose, resilience, and a voice that inspires change.
Why This Story Matters Now
October invites us to pause and shine a light on breast cancer awareness. Stories like Meaghan’s make that awareness real — reminding us that behind every ribbon is a person, a family, a journey.
At Verduyn Tarps, we were humbled to see one of our Eagle Tarp Systems become a rolling symbol of hope, travelling highways and sparking conversations. It showed us that the equipment we build isn’t only about protection — sometimes, it carries messages that touch lives.
This month, we encourage you to read Meaghan’s story, share it, and talk openly about awareness and early detection. Because while pink ribbons raise visibility, it’s stories like this that drive the message home.
