Help Carol Woodin (Pierce) Fight Stage 3 Esophageal Cancer

Our friend Carol Woodin (nee Pierce) is facing the fight of her life. Recently, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus — a rare and aggressive cancer that has completely changed her world in just a few months.

What started as trouble swallowing has turned into a full-blown battle for survival. Carol can no longer eat or drink normally. All her nutrition, hydration, and medication go through a feeding tube. She’s lost a significant amount of weight and energy, but she’s determined to keep fighting with her trademark mix of grit and dark humor.

Surgery isn’t an option because of the tumor’s location. The only chance to beat this is intensive treatment:

✔️ 30 rounds of radiation

✔️ 6 rounds of chemotherapy

✔️ Ongoing hospital visits, scans, medications, and specialized care

She spends weekdays in Victoria undergoing daily radiation and chemo at BC Cancer, staying at cancer lodges or hotels between appointments. Even with government-covered treatment, the hidden costs are overwhelming — travel, accommodations, prescriptions, nutritional supplies, medical equipment, and everything needed to keep life afloat at home.

Carol is a wife, a mom, and a friend who lights up every room with honesty, humor, and strength. She’s facing this battle head-on, but she shouldn’t have to do it alone.

Your support will help cover:

Travel to and from treatment

Accommodation during weeks of radiation and chemo

Specialized nutrition and medical supplies

Medications not fully covered

Emergency costs when equipment fails (like feeding pumps)

Basic living expenses

Carol’s words: “I’m not going quietly, and I’m definitely not going politely. Frank — that’s what we call the tumor — picked the wrong host.”