Support Debbie's fight against cancer

Hi, my name is Teresa and I am fundraising for Debbie.

Debbie and I were born 34 days apart. Our mothers are sisters, and our fathers are brothers. She was my first friend, and is still my best friend. We have always been sisters, but Debbie is more than family. She is my heart.

Those who know Debbie would tell you just as I would that she is a kind soul with a big heart, and would be there in an instant to help anyone else in need. She is thoughtful and loving, with a sharp wit and a warm, infectious laugh that her nieces and nephews adore.

Over the years Debbie has opened her home to many international students, providing them with a safe and nurturing environment as they pursued their studies abroad. She has always put others first, but now she needs help.

On April 6, 2023 Debbie received the devastating news that the 16cm tumor found in her abdomen is ovarian carcinosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. A side effect of this cancer is fluid build up within the chest and abdomen, which has resulted in the collapse of Debbie’s right lung. She has had to step away permanently from work and requires live-in help during her treatments. Family members have left their own employment to lend their support during this frightening journey, but Debbie’s treatment is as expensive as it is exhausting.

Debbie left work to begin her full-time treatment on May 8th. She is her sole source of income, and now that income is gone. Debbie does not have access to extended health care or medical benefits, and the added pressure of these new expenses has made an already stressful situation far more difficult. She has applied for Medical EI benefits, but the maximum payment she can receive will not be enough to cover her monthly rent, let alone the added expenses of her treatment and prescriptions. Going through this cancer journey is hard enough for Debbie without the added anxiety of struggling to make ends meet. I am reaching out to all those who know her in hopes that we can alleviate some fraction of the stress she is feeling in this difficult time.

I love my sister so much and I thank you all for any help you can offer.

Sincerely,

Teresa Orosz Rive