Our father, Boris Rozenberg (69), recently underwent two major brain surgeries at Windsor Regional Hospital in Ontario Canada due to Glioblastoma (GBM grade 4, wild-type). He now faces frequent brain scans (CT/MRI), daily radiation for 6 weeks, specialist consultations, rehab, and ongoing follow-up care.

In Canada and specifically in Ontario, OHIP covers hospital and physicians — but does not cover transportation, parking, and many home-safety needs that make day-to-day care possible.

I am Boris’s only child and primary caregiver, and we also have a 6-month-old baby at home. Between caring for my dad and our daughter, there is little time left in the day to work. I’m currently on EI Caregiver Benefits (15 weeks) which cover up to ~55% of my salary. Canada’s cost of living is very high and still rising quickly. We’re not pretending to be destitute — but our savings are finite, and with a GBM diagnosis, we know they can be exhausted soon without help.

Boris’s wife, Raisa, has no Canadian pension (I recently sponsored both my parents to come to Canada from Haifa, Israel). She is helping care for him while managing her own health issues, with her own doctor visits and out-of-pocket medications not covered by OHIP.

We have explored ODSP for him; however, under the family-sponsorship rules, any ODSP paid would become a sponsorship debt that I would need to repay. That’s why we’re asking our community to help with the uncovered essentials:

How funds will be used

What your gift covers right now (typical amounts):

• Rides & parking for CT/MRI, specialist visits, and rehab — Crown rides $65 one way if patient can sit in a wheelchair.

• Home safety: grab bars ($40–60 each + installation $100–200), shower chair ($60–120), non-slip mats ($20–40), walker tips ($15–30). Potentially chair lift for the stairs (upwards of $500).

• Care gap at home when public hours run short: PSW support ($28–35/hr).

• Chemo-safety cleaning & supplies: because chemo medications can be present in saliva, urine, and sweat, we must clean surfaces, bathrooms, bedding, and clothing meticulously — gloves ($12–20/box), disinfecting wipes/bleach ($6–15), absorbent pads/liners ($15–30), extra laundry detergent & hot-water cycles ($15–30/mo), plastic liners & paper towels ($10–20), lidded step-can ($25–35) — ~$60–150/month depending on treatment weeks.

• Small medical incidentals: skin/scalp care supplies, pillows/wedge, basic equipment, phone/internet for telehealth/care coordination.

• Quality-of-life for Grandpa Boris with granddaughter Vera — a short outing after appointments, a small toy now and then — the moments that make this journey human.

• If we manage to raise enough funds, we might try to get tumor treating fields device, developed by an award-winning professor from the Technion.

We’re also applying to hospital/community assistance for transportation. If any rides/parking are reimbursed, we will re-allocate donated funds to the other uncovered needs above (and post an update). If, G-d willing, there is ever a surplus, we will carry it forward for later care or donate the remainder to a relevant charity.

From the heart of our Jewish tradition

With emunah, we accept that this is Hashem’s will, and at the same time we pray for בִּטּוּל הַגְּזֵרָה (bitul ha-gezeirah — that a harsh decree be annulled). We are hopeful that Hashem will hear our תַּחֲנוּנִים (tachanunim, heartfelt pleas).

This campaign follows what our Torah teaches: תְּשׁוּבָה, תְּפִלָּה וּצְדָקָה (teshuvah, tefillah, tzedakah). It is also my mitzvah of כִּבּוּד אָב וָאֵם (kibbud av va’em, honoring parents). As Boris’s only child, fundraising for his uncovered needs is one way I can fulfill kibbud av with love and respect.

If you are able to join us in this chesed, your help becomes part of that mitzvah—supporting the practical needs that let Grandpa Boris keep showing up for care and for baby Vera.

Short prayer for his healing:

א-ל נָא רְפָא נָא לוֹ — לְבָרוּךְ בֶּן רִבְקָה.

El na, refa na lo — le Baruch ben Rivka.

May Hashem send a complete healing to Baruch ben Rivka.

Why donations matter in Canada

We’re grateful OHIP covers the hospital and doctors, but transport, parking, home safety, caregiver gaps, and inflation-driven living costs fall on families. Your support keeps Boris getting to every appointment on time and safe at home — turning medical care into real, shared time.

Transparency

We’ll post updates every 7–10 days (appointments completed, items purchased/installed). For legitimacy, we can share redacted doctor confirmation and a simple budget (no private numbers).

Tax receipts

If you prefer Canadian tax receipts, we can try and contact a local community organization to set up a designated fund; message us for details.

From our family to yours — thank you for helping our Grandpa Boris keep moving forward.