A Personal Update from Dale

"First, I want to thank every single person who has donated, shared my fundraiser, sent a message, or simply kept me in your prayers and thoughts. Your kindness means more than I can ever put into words.

This has been the hardest journey of my life. When I was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, I never imagined how much it would change my life. Since my surgery in October 2025, I've faced complications, multiple hospital stays, radiation treatments and permanent health conditions that require lifelong care. Every day is different, and even simple tasks can be exhausting. I have not been able to return to work. The medical appointments, medications, and everyday expenses continue to add up and the financial strain has become overwhelming.

As difficult as it is for me to ask for help, I know I can't get through this alone. A dear friend created this GoFundMe because she saw the challenges my family and I were facing and I'm incredibly grateful that she did. If you're able to donate, no matter the amount, Thank you from the bottom of my heart. If donating isn't possible, sharing my story with your family, friends, and social media would mean the world to me. Every share gives my story the chance to reach someone else who may help.

Thank you for standing beside me through this journey. Your kindness, encouragement and support remind me every day that even during the darkest times, I am never fighting alone.

With love and gratitude,

Dale. "

Hi, my name is Kim. I'm a long time friend of Dale Smith-Pettraccone. We grew up in the same town, did high school classes together. She was one of the toughest to out-do in AP Math Classes!! A super smart woman! She later moved to Ontario; I went to St. John's then Vancouver but we managed to stay in touch. Over the past years, we reconnected on a different level - health symptoms that were, for a long time, unexplained and exhausting. Eventually, diagnoses would come for us both - Autoimmune diseases followed by cancers. For Dale, she has endured a very difficult last 3 years, in particular. She suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's Disease, Hypertension and several other chronic health conditions. I know the toll a life of chronic illness takes - it's physically, emotionally, financially, socially - devastating.

Dale has been treated for the above stated conditions, but despite numerous medications, constant appointments, she continued to decline. Relentless nausea, extreme headaches, chronic fatigue, vomiting became her daily life. In July 2025, an urgent CT scan of the brain found what none of us ever want to have found. She says "I received news that would change my life forever - I had/have a rare brain tumor called a Craniopharyngioma". Through out of town medical visits to specialists including a Neurosurgeon and Endocrinologist, Dale would find out this tumor was pressing against her pituitary gland, preventing hormones from reaching their required locations throughout the body. The damage caused by the tumor led to several life threatening endocrine disorders, including Addison's Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency) and severe hypothyroidism.

In October 2025, Dale underwent brain surgery , experienced complications, and the tumor was only partly removable. Her next months were excruciating. A full adrenal crisis led to hospitalization, significant weight loss, and more. Clearly, she has been unable to work. Dale is now scheduled to undergo 6 weeks of radiation treatment in Hamilton, ON, 2 hours away from their home. A proposal for the costs to be incurred for her required accommodations, meals, transportation, and other living expenses has been denied by her insurance company. That's 6 weeks (minimum) that she will have to stay/eat in hotels, travel, and maintain the expenses of her family home.

The fear and uncertainty that she faces medically right now, is enormous. There should not have to be added financial stressors. Dale and I are asking that if you are in a position to do so, please consider giving. If you are not, every time this fundraiser is shared through Facebook, IG, etc, it helps. Dale has a long journey ahead of her to recovery. Let's show her the power of community and make this burden less to carry for her.

I will update the page as we go through the next months, and on behalf of Dale and her family, I want to thank every one of you who donates, shares, and makes this fundraiser successful.

"Nobody Fights Alone"