In Ottawa, Ontario after living courageously with lung cancer for nine years. Cherished by her loving husband and soulmate, Michael, beloved children, Thomson and Sydney, mother Louise (nee Harvey), and quiet, faithful companion, McLuhan (“Lu”). Predeceased by her father, the Honourable Alan Redway (d. 2024), and her sister Kim (d. 2024). Mourned by father-in-law, Paul Cayley, sister-in-law, Paula Cayley, and brother-in-law, Greg Fitch.
Andrea completed her Honours degree in Economics at Western (1990) and graduated from Dalhousie law school (1993). She was called to the bar in Ontario and California and practised with Blake Cassels Graydon, a large Toronto law firm.
From 1997 to 2000, she lived in China, establishing there one of the first Canadian law firm offices.
From 2001 to 2015, Andrea worked with the Canadian Bar Association, including as its Director, International Initiatives. In this role, she recruited select Canadian lawyers and judges to work with partners in Asia and Africa to strengthen and reform local justice systems.
Andrea worked as a tireless advocate for patient-centered medicine, research, early screening and faster adoption of emergent therapies including with Lung Cancer Canada, the Canadian Cancer Survivors’ Network and the Ottawa Hospital. She received great solace through co-founding the Ottawa region lung cancer survivors’ group. In addition, Andrea served as a patient representative on the board of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and as a board member for the non-profit RETpositive, funding medical research for RET-driven cancers. In 2023, Andrea co-authored for publication in a medical journal, a case study detailing how her genetic profile correlated with the effectiveness of her immunotherapy.
Starting in 2018, Andrea co-led a neighbourhood group that sponsored the immigration of a family of five from Africa.
While we are proud of her work as a cancer patient advocate and community volunteer, Andrea was most proud of her two remarkable children. It is in them that she found her greatest joy.
The family would like to thank Andrea’s lifelong Leaside friends, as well as her chosen Lindsay, China, Ottawa and Cobourg families, for supporting her with loving kindness throughout her illness.
Andrea long outlived her original prognosis due to the expertise of dozens of researchers and caregivers, internationally and across the Ottawa healthcare ecosystem. We thank them for every moment.
If desired, charitable contributions would be gratefully received by Lung Cancer Canada to see Andrea’s page CLICK HERE. Alternatively, reach out to support someone who is living with cancer.
A fundraiser celebrating Andrea’s life will be held in June in Ottawa.
“A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others”
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
To leave a memory of Andrea for the family to have please follow this LINK
Andrea will always be remembered as a strong and influential patient advocate here at the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network.