Hi my name is Charlene and I am hoping to help my former student Sydney raise money to help with her monthly bills.

A story and message from Sydney:

Maybe you’ve heard the saying “When it rains it pours”? … Well that seems to have been my life for the past few years, and there doesn’t seem to be a let up in the storm. At least not yet!

I graduated from the University of Alberta in 2020 with a Bachelors of Kinesiology. From there, I started working at a long term care facility as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in November of that year. Life was going good, and then … shit hit the fan.

My dad died in a car accident in November of 2022 and I took a medical leave to process my grief. Just as I was ready to go back to work in April of 2023, I got a call from my doctor… one that no one wishes to receive. Finally all my pain had a name — Ewing’s Sarcoma. Cancer. In my pelvic region.

I was 25 and facing the reality of potentially dying. I knew I had to do whatever it took to stay alive, even if sometimes I wanted more than anything to give up. Hope is what kept me alive.

I had 14 rounds of chemotherapy and several rounds of proton therapy in the States. Then I flew back to Edmonton to receive the rest of my chemotherapy.

To this day I still have quite a few residual effects - mentally, physically and emotionally.

In May of 2024, I was able to go back to work full time. I was able to move out of my Mom’s place that October. Life was going good; I finally started feeling some sort of normalcy and was regaining my strength and Independence day by day.

Then it hit the fan again… My cat, Oliver, got seriously sick. Fortunately friends, strangers and two generous veterinarians helped fund his treatment. The last thing I needed was to lose my boy. He has been such a huge support for me through all of this and I love him with everything in me.

Right after that, I was told my kidney function was deteriorating very quickly. I am going to be starting peritoneal dialysis soon and will have to wait until I am five years post cancer to get put on the transplant list. Because of everything that is going on, my doctors are suggesting that I go on long term disability.

I am struggling financially, as I am on my own and trying to remain independent. If you are able to contribute, any amount helps. If I can alleviate the financial stress that comes along with this all, I know it will alleviate so many other stressors in my life and finally allow me to focus solely on my health and well being - which has, and always will be the most important thing to me.