Help Bring Suzette Home

We are Suzette, Kevin, Amber and René, a family living together in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. In our remote northern city, access to health care and living with disabilities can be even more challenging than elsewhere in the country. Suzette, 63, has been living with cancer since 2007. This journey has included multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation treatments and more. She still has much to live for, in the community where she has given so much. Through it all, Suzette has maintained a quiet determination, joie de vivre and continues to inspire those around her.

Suzette had her fourth brain surgery in Edmonton on April 28, 2025. The difference this time is that she has remained in hospital ever since. Her brain tumour is located near the speech centre and she now has expressive aphasia or an inability to get words out. Following the surgery, Suzette also has no movement in her right limbs and now uses a wheelchair. This unexpected and sudden change has been challenging for us to navigate.

We want to thank family and friends for all the support you have shown us with regard to Suzette's recent health challenges. Thank you as well to all the healthcare workers who have been part of her journey, including the team at Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife where Suzette has been living since May 16 in a single room with a fabulous view of Frame Lake.

Suzette is on a slow trajectory for rehabilitation and recovery. Given her underlying health conditions, we have collectively decided the best option is to have Suzette come home. However, our split-level home will require some extensive renovation including an exterior ramp, and interior ramps for her wheelchair.

While we are very grateful for all the support to date from Housing NWT and our health care coverage, we anticipate significant additional costs for equipment, supplies and support at home.

People near and far have begun to spontaneously donate money and some have urged us to start this fundraiser. We pledge to be transparent with funds received to offset our additional expenses and will report on that periodically. Any funds raised above and beyond our needs will be donated to the NWT Disabilities Council and/or the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation. We are unable to provide tax receipts but we hope you will be satisfied knowing that you have helped bring Suzette home and supported her care. We will post updates as the campaign and the move home progresses. Thank you all.