Charlene Krause's Cancer Battle

Hello, my name is Andrea and I would like to tell you about my very dear friend, Charlene Krause (nee Thiessen). Charlene lives in Winnipeg, MB with her husband Sam and their identical, 8 month old twin boys Josiah and Isaiah. Charlene works for Winnipeg Housing as a Tenant Resource Coordinator helping the elderly, recent immigrants and other marginalized people with housing issues and community resources. She is very involved in her church (Kilcona Park Alliance Church) helping her husband Sam who is the Youth Pastor there. Charlene is always helping others and putting other’s needs ahead of her own. That is why I feel it is so important to help her when she needs it most.

Charlene was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer in October 2016. The cancer has spread to her liver and a lymph node. The doctors have a very aggressive treatment regiment planned including chemotherapy, radiation and multiple surgeries. This will be a long, hard road for Charlene and her family. While Charlene’s diagnosis is very serious and quite advanced, the doctors remain optimistic that Charlene can overcome this.

Charlene and Sam have already experienced a medical miracle in the birth of their sons. In December 2015, while Charlene was around 15 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound discovered that there were significant complications regarding the pregnancy. They were told that it would be very unlikely for the babies to survive. Charlene and Sam were obviously heartbroken but never gave up hope that God would provide a miracle. Midway through the pregnancy the complication was discovered to be something other than originally thought and Charlene was rushed to Toronto to have fetal surgery to fix the issue. Surgery was a success and both boys were born at 35 weeks happy and healthy. A miracle indeed!!

Unfortunately, Josiah & Isaiah’s fight did not end at birth. At 10 days old, Isaiah started having issues with breathing and body temperature. It was discovered that he had a heart defect and needed emergency heart surgery in Edmonton so Charlene, Sam and the boys were off again on an airplane praying that God would spare Isaiah’s life. Isaiah was in the NICU for a week and made a full recovery. Another answer to prayer!!

Needless to say, Charlene & Sam have been through an unimaginable year. In addition to these medical issues, they have tried very hard to sell the condo that they’re currently living in because they were hoping to buy something with a bit more room for raising two busy boys. In addition, the space that they’re living in is less than ideal for someone who is dealing with cancer treatments and raising two babies. The condo has many stairs, the only bathroom is on the 2nd floor and there is no space for caregivers to spend the night and help with the babies when Charlene needs it.

The goal with this fundraiser is to raise enough money for Charlene and Sam so that they can get out of their condo even if they can’t sell it right now. And to help them out with all the extra expenses that come up when dealing with cancer treatments, hospital visits and time off of work. Please consider giving to this amazing family who need all the love and support right now.