Hello, my name is Breanna, and I’m reaching out on behalf of myself and my two brothers, Aidan and Anthony. In early September, our world was turned upside down when our mom, Sheila Schmidt, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of stage 3 rectal cancer. This has been an unexpected, heart-wrenching journey, and every day has been a challenge as we fight alongside her in her battle to overcome this disease.

Sheila’s cancer is rare, and her doctors have had to take a highly aggressive approach to treatment to try to stop its spread. Right now, she’s undergoing the most intensive forms of both radiation and chemotherapy, with the hope of avoiding major surgeries. Each round of treatment brings a wave of debilitating side effects, leaving her in constant pain and completely exhausted. Despite the difficulty, Sheila has faced every day with courage, holding on to the hope that these treatments will shrink the tumors and help her get through this without needing further invasive procedures.

For over 15 years, Sheila worked as a dedicated Personal Support Worker (PSW) most recently at Guelph General Hospital, devoting her life to helping others in their moments of vulnerability. Now, she finds herself in need of care, and we’re determined to give her the support she deserves. But since her diagnosis, Sheila has been unable to work due to the severity of her pain and the side effects of her treatments. She’s on a high dose of pain medication administered through a pain pump, which has drastically limited her mobility and quality of life.

My brothers and I, all recent graduates, have done everything we can to be there for her. We’ve had to take time off work—some of us even quitting our jobs entirely—to help with her care and her appointments, but financially, we’re now struggling to keep up. Although we are lucky to live in a country where some medical costs are covered, many treatments and medications still aren’t, and these uncovered expenses are adding up quickly.

To add to this, Sheila’s landlord has been trying to evict her from her home, aiming to replace her with higher-paying tenants. After more than 10 years in this rent-controlled unit, her home has become her sanctuary and her security. Facing the threat of eviction during this already difficult time has only increased our family’s stress and financial strain, as rent prices have skyrocketed, and Sheila’s income has decreased.

Sheila has always been the most selfless, giving person—her career as a PSW was a testament to that. Now, we’re humbly asking for help from our community to support her as she faces this battle. Every donation will go toward medical expenses, living costs, and any other fees we may have while trying to save our Mother. Even if you can’t donate, sharing our story means the world to us and would help us reach others who may be able to help.

Thank you so much for reading and for any support you can offer. Please help us give Sheila the chance to focus on healing as she fights this rare and aggressive cancer.

With deepest gratitude,

Breanna, Aidan, and Anthony