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<div><em>NOTE: At Sam's request, these funds are going into a trust account administered by Anthea Baxter-Page. That's why it says 'Team Mason is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Anthea Baxter-Page' as the account is attached to her name. Rest assured, every penny is going to Sam &amp; Mason. GoFundMe has verified and signed off on this arrangement.</em>
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<div>Mason Soter just turned four. She loves the colour purple. And her sparkly cowgirl boots. And ice cream. And her mama, Samantha McCombs.
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<div>Today, this luminous, lovely little soul is in the fight of her life. This summer, she was diagnosed with a rare and terrifying brain cancer. Something called a non-germinotamous germ cell tumour.
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<div>The doctors at Sick Kids Hospital remain positive about the outcome but are clear there is a long and grueling treatment regime in front of Mason and no guarantees.
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<div><strong>Treatment </strong>
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<div>Mason is currently in Sick Kids recovering from emergency surgery to remove the rapidly growing tumour. Initially, the plan was to do six months of chemo and then radiation – followed by surgery only if necessary. But the size and growth of the tumour meant there was no other option but to operate.
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<div>This surgery was very high risk, and while it was overall a success, removing most of the tumour, the cancer remains, and Mason still has an uncertain prognosis and months of treatment in front of her.
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<div>She will now have at least five months of chemo combined with a stem cell treatment designed to help her tolerate a more aggressive chemotherapy regime. The goal is to avoid radiation which can cause brain damage at her age – and a long list of other ugly side effects.
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<div>Because the chemo is so aggressive, Mason will be an inpatient for much of her treatment. Which, of course, means Sam will be there too, comforting her, entertaining her, bringing her Sammy magic to light Mason's toughest days.
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<div>They have a long and challenging road in front of them – and Sam is walking it alone as a single mother.
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<div><strong>Mason &amp; Sam’s needs </strong>
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<div>It's not an overstatement to say that without help, Sam and Mason will be in a perilous situation, without enough money to live on.
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<div>Sam is a single mother and is entirely responsible for meeting Mason’s needs.
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<div>Right before Mason’s diagnosis, Sam finished a two-year course to become a Registered Massage Therapist – an amazing accomplishment as she balanced school and a young kid on her own. All that’s left is the professional certification exam which Sam was set to take this summer. But Mason’s diagnosis upended all plans. Sam still intends to take the exam as soon as she’s able but needs time to properly study. Right now her focus is entirely on Mason.
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<div>Sam can not work for the better part of the next year, possibly longer. Taking care of a child with cancer is a full-time job – the appointments, the treatment, the care, the hospital stays, the emergency visits – it’s all-consuming.
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<div>Sam is on a fixed basic income from the government, but it doesn’t come close to meeting her monthly expenses. Sam lives frugally, but there is a deficit of approximately $2000 a month on her fixed costs (rent, food, phone, bills, student loan payments, clothes/stuff for Mason etc.), especially now with the additional costs of cancer.
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<div><strong>How you can help</strong>
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<div>We’re hoping to raise enough to bridge the difference between Sam’s fixed income and her expenses for the duration of Mason’s treatment.
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<div>If you’re able to help at all, any donation will be so appreciated. Every penny will go to Sam and Mason, whether it’s $5, $10, $50 or $500 or more.
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<div><strong>What your donation will do:</strong>
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<li>Make sure Mason and Sam can continue to pay their rent, buy nutritious food, and cover their basic expenses.
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<li>Respite babysitting - As a single parent, Sam is on 24/7, taking care of a very sick child with complex medical needs. Sam will need some time here and there to run errands, take care of her own appointments, and re-charge.
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<li>Cover any extra costs associated with cancer, and there are a lot of them – e.g., while Mason’s food is covered in the hospital, Sam’s is not. Plus extra costs associated with transportation (Mason’s immune system means she shouldn’t be on the TTC) and other unforeseen expenses around specialized equipment, drugs etc.
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<li>Alleviate the crushing financial burden on Sam so she can focus all her energy and attention on Mason.
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<div>Any extra funds will go to Mason’s ongoing care. We’ll provide updates as the treatment progresses.
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<div>If you’ve met Mason, you know how exceptional she is – a deeply sweet, observant, fierce and tiny sprite in a sequined dress! She deserves so much better than the hand she’s been dealt. And she deserves a mom who can be with her 100% right now without the crushing burden of financial anxiety. Sam deserves that too.
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<div>Sam and Mason have crossed into a new and devastating reality. We want to make sure they have as many hands on their backs as they walk forth and, ultimately through, out to the other side.
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<div>Thank you from the bottom of our Mason-and-Sam lovin’ hearts.
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<div>NOTE: At Sam's request, Anthea Baxter-Page and Willow Smith will handle and administer the funds. Sam will submit her expenses and we’ll cover them from this fund.
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Maie Liiv

Jessica Jensen and family

Anonymous

Nancy Moore

Kirsten Sims

Fiona So

Grace De Pasquale

Mark McCombs

Gail McCombs David Timms

Please help Mason fight cancer!

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