Leah, to know her is to love her.

Leah grew up in Brandon, moving to what now is her city Red Deer Alberta, with her spouse Sterling, two kids Sophie (3) & Jace (10 months).

In April Leah was out at a fundraiser, with what was supposed to be a night full of fun. A much deserved night for herself. At some point in the night Leah became very ill, having to be rushed to urgent care. If only it had been from the beverage(s) consumed. However it was not. What a wonderful thing if it only had been. Leah’s world that night was flipped upside down, as she was informed she had a tumor growing in her stomach.

Her diagnosis, Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Proximal Polyposis of the Stomach (GAPPS) it’s extremely rare in that most peoples chances of having it are one to three percent.

GAPPS is a disease that affects the stomach, which is the organ that helps digest food. GAPPS causes many small bumps, called polyps, to form on the inside lining of the stomach. Polyps can be benign, meaning they cannot spread to other parts of the body. Polyps can also turn into cancer, meaning they can spread to other parts of the body. ( https://www.cancer.gov/pediatric-adult-rare-tumor/rare-tumors/rare-digestive-system-tumors/gastric-adenocarcinoma-and-proxymal-polyposis

Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Proximal Polyposis of the Stomach - NCI - National Cancer Institute

Gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS) is a type of hereditary gastric cancer syndrome.

www.cancer.gov

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Being genetic, they do figure it may have come from Leah’s biological dad who passed tragically at the age of 29, in a plane accident. He was a pilot.

With little to no symptoms, GAPPS can be hard to catch. For Leah she was having bloating in the tummy, a hard time nursing Jace. But all things pointed to, post partum. Nursing hadn’t gone easy with Sophie either. Her diagnosis, made everything make sense.

What does this mean for Leah? It means on November 2 of this year Leah will go through to have surgery. A total stomach removal. This being extremely necessary to prevent the spread. Tests are currently being done to ensure it hasn’t yet spread, concern being to the lymph nodes.

We all know how much Leah loves to help people, putting herself last- always. Even if she physically can’t, she still somehow is there to help. It’s just who she is.

Leah has helped bring local charities donations by organizing and running many events. The door step project as well as her very popular Santa pictures to name a couple!

But right now Leah needs our help! This surgery will put Leah off work for quite some time to heal. Being self employed she is not able to collect EI. Leah has been working around the clock, all summer to prepare for the financial strain this will absolutely put them in. The hope for Leah is only a couple of months, her need to be busy runs deep. However it really is unknown just how long she will find herself not working. If you can please help Leah, and her family by donating, and or sharing.

Let’s come together for Leah! This is just a starting point as we don’t know how long or what it will take until Leah & her family are back on their feet again. But with the help of Mom, Dad, Sterling, family, & friends the stress of it all may ease off a bit!

Going #nostomachforcancer 02/11/2022

We love you Leah!

(written with love by Kristi Cook (Red Deer) + Candice Horn (Brandon)