Dear Friends, Family and Community,

Aaron Lansdowne, an amazing human being and loving single dad, has started a challenging journey, and one he never imagined taking before his 40th birthday.

Aaron has been diagnosed with stage 3 urethral cancer—a rare condition seldom seen in people under 65—that has spread to lymph nodes in his groin, pelvis and neck.

He’s started treatment that will last at least 6 months. The doctors plan for at least 4 months of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery to remove the tumor, and possible reconstructive surgeries. After that, he’ll need yearly PET scans to ensure the cancer doesn’t return.

We firmly believe in Aaron’s strength and resilience, and know he’ll make a full recovery, but this earth-shattering news means he can’t work and has no meaningful income. We’re asking for your help to ease this immense financial burden, and reduce the stress that comes with this journey.

Your generous donation goes directly toward medical and basic living expenses like over-counter medication, food and clothing. It helps make sure his growing kids, Quinn (11) and Liam (6), have everything they need to thrive.

If you want to know more about donation and other ways to help, please scroll to the bottom. To learn more about Aaron’s story, please keep reading (warning: detailed descriptions of cancer and treatment).

Thank you for your support; your kindness means the world to us.

With love,

Aaron, Liam, Quinn, Leigh, Dale, and the rest of our Family

Aaron’s Life Before Diagnosis

In 2020, when he became a single dad, Aaron made the choice to work part-time so that he could prioritize time with his kids.

One close friend says that the way Aaron parents is “inspiring and beautiful. He is often found on the ground with the kids attempting to understand and witness what they are seeing and experiencing.” This friend has “only ever known Aaron to put his children first.”

Aaron is kind, generous and thoughtful. He visits his grandmother weekly, and calls even more. He’s a constant support to his partner, Leigh, who has complex chronic illness, and he’s always available to friends and coworkers needing a good listener, advice, or a shoulder to cry on. In 2021, along with his dad, Dale, Aaron provided end-of-life care for his mom, Trish.

He values being active and healthy, especially in nature, and has begun a journey to reconnect with his Indigenous heritage–something that his kids have made especially important to him.

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In April 2024, shortly before his 39th birthday, Aaron started experiencing difficulty urinating and could feel a hard lump. His family doctor wasn’t initially concerned, but put him on a waitlist for a urologist just in case.

Less than two weeks later, in debilitating pain and with blood in his urine, Aaron went to emergency with an inflamed prostate and a urethral blockage.

Shortly after New Years 2025, Aaron was diagnosed with stage 3 papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) with squamous metaplasia.

The Harsh Reality of Urethral Cancer

To date, Aaron has had multiple catheters (the latest installed surgically), extensive tests and scans (including ultrasound, x-ray, CT, MRI, PET, bone scan, and endless blood tests), three surgeries, multiple emergency room visits, and innumerable medical appointments.

Every two weeks, Aaron spends two days at BC Cancer getting intravenous chemotherapy (Methotrexate, Vinblastine, Doxorubicin, and Cisplatin) to stop the growth of the cancer cells and reduce the size of the tumor. This will continue for at least 4 months.

Although prescribed medications to reduce side effects and risks, he suffers from nausea, pain, brain fog, confusion, skin sensitivity, and akathisia (inability to remain still) for at least a week after every treatment. These will get worse as the chemicals build up in his system.

After chemo, Aaron will have radiation therapy. This comes with a new set of side effects that could include bladder and bowel issues; red, dry, sore or peeling skin; and fatigue and weakness. Then, he will have surgery to remove any remaining tumor and a portion of the urethra.

There’s also the possibility—a very uncomfortable one—that he could need more radical surgery like a new opening (stoma) to pass urine, a new bladder using a piece of the small intestine, or a partial penectomy with possible reconstructive plastic surgery.

The doctors seem to think Aaron’s chances are good because he’s young, healthy and active. Our family hopes that he’ll be able to beat cancer, and return to a full and active life as a father, partner, friend and community member.

Why Aaron Needs Your Help

Quite frankly, because Aaron has prioritized family over work, neither medical EI nor long-term disability will be enough to cover basic living expenses for his family (food, bills, and clothing), or extra expenses directly related to treatment (chemo- and catheter-friendly clothing, doctor-recommended over-the-counter medications, specialty nutrition and organic food, and extra transportation costs).

He also needs support for his caregivers: both his partner, Leigh (disabled), and his dad, Dale (retired), are also low income. They have extra expenses (laundry and cleaning supplies and help, specialty food, and over-the-counter medications) to make sure Aaron is taken care of and has everything he needs.

How You Can Help

Aaron never imagined having to ask for help for something like this, but he can’t do this alone: your support means everything.

Your donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward helping Aaron and his family get through treatment and recovery.

If you can’t donate, you can help by sharing Aaron’s story with as many people as possible, dropping off groceries or meals, helping his caregivers, or simply spending some time with Aaron and his family.

Thank you for reading Aaron’s story and for your support,

Aaron, Liam, Quinn, Leigh, Dale, and the rest of our Family