For Aurora

Nobody wants to find themselves staring at their laptop screen at 12am on a Tuesday night struggling to find the right words to elegantly explain to all of our friends, family, and communities that a serious diagnosis has just been handed to one of our closest friends. If this year has taught us anything though, it’s that we can’t possibly anticipate what is in store for the future and that rock-solid plans are fallible even in the best of times. 

For our close friend Aurora, the sudden and shocking diagnosis of a brain tumor has come after a series of worsening headaches and increased vertigo these past few months. As we all know, the timing for such life-altering news couldn’t be any more difficult. Along with being a full-time student; working two jobs, volunteering at the BC Cancer Centre, caring for her much-loved (and extremely mischievous) cat Zoe -trying to find a normal pace in this strict new Covid world has been tough at best. After suffering for months, and attending regular physiotherapy, massage, and chiropractic appointments - a recent MRI revealed a 4cm diameter tumor (approximately the size of a golf ball for reference) near her left ear. She has been told that she will lose hearing in her left ear and will require brain surgery as soon as possible and that the complex removal will require three neurosurgeons. Her tentative surgery date will land between the end of December 2020 and the end of January 2021. 

The primary surgeon working on her case has advised that she will require several months to recover post-operation, and her currently worsening condition has made juggling work and school a challenge. It is worth noting that not even a brain tumor has been able to stop Aurora, who is defying any and all conventional reactions to such a complicated situation and is somehow managing to make it work. Her ambition and tenacity far exceed the obstacles that have been placed in her path. That being said, there will be no small cost resultant of this diagnosis both financially and mentally. She will be forced to take a leave from school, give up her apartment and relocate to her family home in Whistler (as she will require close post-operative care), and will not be able to work until she is fully recovered. 

In light of this heavy news, we her friends are reaching out to everyone else that has had the good fortune to know, work with, and love our stubborn, hardworking, and often hilarious “I can do this on my own” friend, Aurora Protter. There are always expenses associated with a sudden and consuming medical diagnosis like hers, and our goal is to take away as much stress as we can by providing some financial security to her and her family at this time. 

Any donations collected will be used towards the following: 

-Moving costs associated with breaking her Richmond apartment lease early and relocating to Whistler (including car storage)
-Living expenses for the duration of her recovery 

-Prescriptions and Integrated Health treatments not covered by MSP 

-Travel and accommodation expenses for the journey back and forth from Whistler to Vancouver for medical appointments, tests, treatments, surgery, and rehabilitation. 

-Pet care costs for Zoe (the worlds cutest cuddly monster of a cat) while Aurora is in Vancouver, and/or unable to care for her temporarily during recovery

All funds will be directly deposited and accessible by Aurora.