Hello world,

This is a difficult note to write, as I don't have much practice in asking for help – I am more comfortable being the one who offers help. My team at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto have really encouraged me to get out of my "comfort zone" and reach out to my chosen family and community for support, so here goes.

I have been struggling with colon cancer and am undergoing chemotherapy. The cancer is quite advanced, so the treatment goal is not curative, but hopefully, it will stabilize the cancer and give me a little more time. I'm grateful for every day I have with my beloved partner, Alain, and dear friends.

This illness is a heavy load to bear some days. My financial situation is actually more worrisome and stressful than my cancer. I am not well enough to pursue any employment or business opportunities to supplement our income. COVID resulted in closing down Song & Script, the music store we operated in Toronto for over 20 years and which was key to our finances. My pensions are barely enough to cover the bills and rent, and we have almost depleted our savings. Alain's support is unwavering; he has taken on the role of my full-time caregiver, and I couldn't do this without him.

My team at Princess Margaret helped me to set up this GoFundMe page. They set the fundraising goal to help collect funds to cover close to a year's worth of our basic monthly expenses like rent and medication. Any contributions no matter how big or small would be greatly appreciated.

I'm 74 years old now and learning a lesson or two about how cancer can make one so vulnerable as well as humble. It also reminds me of the power of chosen family that has always sustained me.

Thank you for reading this note and for your kind consideration.

With love and gratitude,

Dana & Alain

❤️

Dana's Stories of Giving

Dana Taylor isn’t just another kind gentleman hard on his luck. He’s also a remarkable person who gave a lot of his life to help other people. In the 80s, he became the director of the Gay Community Dance Committee (GCDC), Canada's largest Lesbian and Gay fundraising group. The money raised by GCDC went to 28 Lesbian and Gay organizations that provide an extensive range of services, activities and events for Lesbian and Gay People. GCDC raised over $250,000 since its beginning in 1981.

Here’s the list of the of the LGBT Organizations that were helped by Dana Taylor and his committee:

In 1987, Dana Taylor and GCDC also gave $40,000 to June Calwood in Trust for buying the lot where Casey House would be built. In the 90s, for health reasons, Dana Taylor couldn’t continue to be director of GCDC and the Directing Committee decided to no longer continue. Dana sold GCDC's assets for a total of $100,000 which he donated to the June Calwood Trust for purchasing and renovating Casey House.

A Note from the Sexual & Gender Diversity in Cancer Care team at Princess Margaret

Dana has long been a pillar of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Over the years, he has devoted himself to volunteer work and fundraising efforts for many causes close to his heart: Casey House, the Toronto Historical Bowling Society, the Gay Community Dance Committee, People With AIDS, Toronto Area Gays, and countless others. A generous spirit, Dana has stood by his chosen family and friends through the darkest of times, and we hope this is one way we can redirect some of that care back towards him. Though maybe a stranger to many of you reading this story now, we hope you can feel how Dana’s love for community is an embodied one.