N.B. valedictorian graduates top of her class while battling breast cancer

A New Brunswick student who is battling breast cancer is graduating.

A New Brunswick valedictorian has graduated at the top of her class while fighting an aggressive form of breast cancer.

Samantha Keays says she immediately fell in love with being a student at NBCC Saint John in the fall of 2024 when she started attending classes in the Early Childhood Education program.

“I was getting really good marks, never missing a day,” says Keays. “It was going really well. I was loving my program.”

Things took a turn later in the winter of 2025 when Keays went to her doctor with pain symptoms, which would eventually lead to an invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosis at the age of 28.

“Which is breast cancer,” says Keays. “I actually had genetic testing done to try and find out how or why I got breast cancer. And it turns out I have the BRCA1 gene mutation, which is actually called the breast cancer gene mutation.”

As Keays was trying to understand her diagnosis and treatment options, she was also worried about the possibility of being forced to leave school.

“I thought I was going to have to drop out,” she says. “I didn’t know how I could continue… doing chemo, having surgery, radiation, all of that. I was distraught. I didn’t know at all what I was going to do.”

Keays says she arranged a schedule which allowed her to be in class, attend treatment sessions, and have the time necessary for rest.

“I ended up being able to do my chemotherapy on Fridays when I didn’t have classes (and) have the weekend to recover,” says Keays. “So, I was able to still go to my classes while I was undergoing my five months of chemotherapy.”

Keays had a double mastectomy during the summer between her first and second year at NBCC.

She completed her last radiation treatment in November.

On Friday, Keays officially graduated with honours from NBCC and with the highest academic standing in her program. Keays also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal for achieving the highest standing on campus overall while serving as the campus valedictorian.

“I will never forget the encouragement, flexibility, and genuine care that my instructors, friends, cohorts, counsellors, and other members of NBCC have shown me during my time here,” said Keays, during her valedictorian speech.

Keays begins a new job this week and says she hopes her story might help inspire people in achieving their goals while also raising awareness about cancer screenings.

“Screening and early detection saves lives,” says Keays. “If there’s something that you think is wrong with your body, go get checked. Don’t brush it off.”

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.