Hi, my name is Christine and today I'm fundraising for our dear friend Cecil and her ill mother, Cora.

 

Cecil Gutierrez is described by her peers, colleagues, and family as a hardworking, dedicated, and extremely generous individual whose positivity and smile could fill up a room. As an Education Assistant, she works tirelessly to ensure that her students, many of whom have special needs, receive the attention and care required to thrive in the school environment.

 

Cecil is the backbone of her family. Since moving to Canada in 2008 from the Philippines, leaving everything and everyone behind, she has proven herself time and again to be a strong provider, not only for her family in the Philippines but for her future family she would later build in Canada. She’d hold multiple jobs in one day, getting very little rest in between, yet maintaining her positive attitude throughout.

 

Cecil's mother, Cora, like many mothers, is her rock. Like many families in Canada who depend heavily on grandparents for childcare to make ends meet, Cora first came to Canada in 2015 from the Philippines to help Cecil care for her two very young daughters, Reign and Regina. Admitted on a tourist visa, Cora was required to return to the Philippines every 6 months until February 2020, when the world went into lockdown.

Fast forward to August 2021. Cora, 58 years old, mother of six, one of whom tragically passed away within weeks from brain cancer two years ago, was diagnosed with Kidney failure after a routine check-up for her type 2 diabetes.

Almost immediately, everything was put into place, giving Cora access to the medical professionals and treatment to live. The Canadian health care system did not fail her, and for this, the Gutierrez family is eternally grateful.

 

Today she and her family are caught in an unbelievable and dire situation aggravated by the pandemic. Due to the nature of Cora's treatment, a lengthy trip back the Philippines is just too high risk and because she holds a tourist visa, her treatment is not covered. This leaves Cecil with her hands tied and an outstanding hospital bill of $45 K +, not to mention the hundreds of dollars out of pocket they've already paid for medication. Sadly, this bill will continue to rise as long a Cora continues her treatment in Canada. 

 

It’s been a painful six months for this family. They were hoping to catch a break and use the Christmas holiday season as a nice distraction from all they’ve endured. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. The first atmospheric river impacted Cecil and her family; their rental basement suite flooded, forcing the entire family out while repairs were made. Cecil and her husband tried to salvage what they could, but the damage had been done.

Cecil continues to power through, leading her family through these difficult times with grace and positivity, reassuring her children that grandma will be OK. Mothers have this superpower to hold it together for the family, yet Cecil bears all the weight of this desperate situation. With our help, we can alleviate some of this financial pressure and support a family caught between rock and a hard place.