RICHMOND HILL – A local hairstylist is ready to share her experiences with breast cancer in a touching memoir, with a book signing event to be held next month.

Bailey Spurling’s book, entitled “Surviving: The True Story,” details her diagnosis with invasive ductal carcinoma and HER2-positive breast cancer in December 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which she says made it more difficult to find a doctor during that period.

“I found out because I had an uncontrollable itch on my left side, and I could feel something there,” detailed Spurling. “I had a mass that was almost 10 centimeters on my left-hand side”.

Now in remission, Spurling, 37, said that she felt inspired to write about her own experiences with breast cancer after hearing the stories of so many of her clients at Lavender Hill Spa Salon in Richmond Hill.

“I decided to write the book because I feel like there are so many other people out there that I can share my experience with and give them hope,” she said. “You know, give them courage to speak up, to ask the questions that they’re afraid to ask.”

Spurling sees her book as an “advocacy” book, and hopes that it can reach folks of all ages and backgrounds.

“The reason why I chose to name the book "Surviving" is because even though you've survived something, it's never over,” Spurling said.

“And I think…we in this generation that we live in, everyone is surviving together.”

Spurling will host a book signing event on Oct. 24, although the location is yet to be confirmed. Those interested in attending or learning more about Spurling’s story can follow her on Facebook, as well as on Instagram at @bwilson6070, and TikTok at @mrsspurling.