UPDATE: unfortunately this week Donna got some news no one was hoping to hear. Her cancer is stage 4 and considered terminal. Prognosis is 6 months with no treatment, with treatment they’re unsure. Donna is going to do palliative chemo to try and extend her life and improve the quality. Due to how stressed our health care system is, they can’t even start her treatments for a month. Her focus has shifted from paying her bills to ensuring she doesn’t leave her family behind with any financial strain (funeral, legal costs etc). Thank you to everyone that has donated so far❤️

If you know Donna, you know she’s a genuine, caring lovely lady, who’s had far too much hardship in her life. 3 years ago at the beginning of the pandemic she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. She went through a year of chemo, radiation and surgeries, mostly alone and in isolation due to the restrictions. She fought hard and was declared clear 2 years ago. She returned to her job she loves at Safeway as a cashier, and met the man of her dreams, Alex. They married in September of 2022, and a few weeks ago Alex, (who is a chef from the Caribbean) received his open work Visa and was able to start work at a new restaurant locally. They settled in to their peaceful life, making plans for the future. This week Donna found out that the cancer is back, again in her esophagus but has also spread to her lungs. She is currently in hospital awaiting surgery and whatever other treatments are deemed necessary to fight this disease again. She is worried about Alex having to take care of all the bills on his own, and being brand new to his position, he’s not able to take any time off from his new job. This is the first time they have been separated from each other since being married, and both are really struggling with it, especially under these incredibly stressful, uncertain circumstances.

I’m hoping to raise enough money to help ease the financial burden for these newlyweds, as money is the last thing they should be focusing on, during this incredibly stressful and scary time for them. Donna has opened her heart to many, many people over the years, volunteering through her church, snd helping new immigrants to adjust and settle in to Canadian life. I myself have spent the last year and a half fighting breast cancer, and Donna has been there every step of the way for me, offering me support, guidance and hope. It’s now time for us to all return the favour and help Donna with round 2 of this horrible disease that affects so many people. Please give generously❤️