Tara Westlake Fund

I would like to take a moment to introduce you all to one of the most wonderful people you have probably never met. Her name is Tara Westlake. She is a kind, gentle and giving soul that has had an extremely difficult life and has kept on smiling and giving of herself, despite not having much to give other than a big heart. She has done this quietly behind the scenes just for the sake of giving, hoping that no one would notice. She always strived to make the lives of everyone around her richer.

A little more than 2 years ago Tara was diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive form of Breast Cancer. She fought a tremendous fight and won. At which time she immediately stepped back into her giving ways and touching the lives of many people in her community. In April this year, Tara began to feel ill and sore with pneumonia like symptoms and was treated unsuccessfully. As they dug a little further into the root cause of her illness, both she and the doctors were surprised to find that her Cancer had returned. This time it was fully metastasized and terminal. This wonderful soul is now faced with tumours in her lung, her brain, and her bones.

Despite being faced with the largest battle of her life, Tara is determined to keep fighting and keep giving of herself and most importantly, to keep smiling. She has successfully received 6 chemotherapy treatments and is excited to begin radiation to start the fight against the tumours hiding in nooks and crannies the drugs cannot touch in her brain and bones. She is excited because each treatment she receives is more time she gets to spend with her family and friends. She is hopeful to have enough time to finish a cookbook chalked full of her children’s favourite recipes. She dreams now of being here to help her kids through as much of high school as she can, and ultimately beat the odds and beat this dreadful disease.

Although Tara is staying positive and fighting a good fight, she can’t help but have her spirit attacked as well by this disease. She is naturally scared and understandably disappointed to be sick which cannot be helped. Also as unfortunate as it may be, Tara feels guilty and helpless about leaving her family with medical expenses and her children with no savings for their education and futures.

It is for these reasons that Tara has put her pride aside and allowed this fund to be started on her behalf. She hopes that this venue may offer an opportunity for her family to survive her with one less stress and burden. Both Tara and her entire family humbly thank you for your generosity at this time of struggle. Please know that Tara very firmly asks that no one donate any more than they can truly afford.

Tara Westlake and her family graciously thank you for taking the time to hear about her journey. We would also like to thank everyone who has already shown amazing acts of kindness and goodwill, and all of those who plan to do so in the future.

Lastly, Tara wants everyone to remember how truly precious life is. She encourages us to cherish every moment with those held close to our hearts. Tara wants to extend her love and hope for a long and healthy life to all she has ever known, and those she has never met. She wants us to live life to the fullest every day and find happiness in all we do.