I am organizing this GoFundMe on behalf of my friend, Sami, who I have gotten to know over the last two years.

Sami was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in 2017 as a mom to a three-year-old and two six-month-old twins. Stage 4 cancer is usually incurable and the life expectancy unpredictable, with a 31% survival rate at five years and 13% survival rate at ten years. However, seven years later, she is still here continuing to stand her ground against the illness and battle against cancerous brain tumours.

Sami did what many doctors say is unlikely with her healing - her love for and fierce commitment to her three kids has continued to fuel her taking every day on. To say her life has changed drastically over the last ten years is an understatement.

Sami was formerly a Senior IT Project Manager at one of the Big Five banks in Canada and now her day to day revolves around monthly cancer treatments for the rest of her life, which take a big toll on her physically and mentally. A few weeks ago, potential cancer spots were found in her brain and she is again anxiously awaiting news about whether the cancer has returned.

Today, Sami is a solo parent on disability doing her best to provide her three kids with a fulfilling life, while making ends meet. Two of her children are neurodivergent and require additional care. Sami's immediate family lives in the United States and as such, she does not have regular access to family support in terms of care. Since Sami relies on OHIP for her cancer treatments, moving to the States with her children is not an option - she will have no cancer treatment coverage outside of the country.

It is already difficult being a solo parent with special needs children, and continuing to deal with a life-threatening illness only makes it more of a challenge. On a monthly basis, Sami receives her cancer treatment and the entire week after this treatment, she is left physically and emotionally drained; making it difficult to manage her children and her household without support.

Your donations will help Sami's family cover the cost of a housekeeper who can support her with the three girls in terms of providing regular care and housekeeping during the week that she receives her cancer treatment. The family needs someone that can step in when Sami is feeling unwell, to provide the basic needs for her children, for example - making food, looking after the girls when they are sick (especially since Sami is immunocompromised), and having access to a car to take the kids to appointments (since Sami's 16-year-old car is on its last legs).

Ideally, we are hoping to fund a housekeeper for Sami who also has some experience working with children with autism, and who can balance out Sami's illness with a somewhat normal life for her children so that they are not so impacted by the cancer. We understand that there is a gap in the system not just for Sami, but for a lot of people in difficult circumstances such as those with low-income and chronic illnesses. Social workers, friends, and family have completed the research to find any existing services and supports for Sami during the week that she receives her treatment, but the only solution that we have found is to hire a housekeeper who can provide all the support she needs. Lastly, donations will also go towards supplements and medications for Sami and her children that are not covered by OHIP.

In the last two years that I have known Sami, I have seen her commitment to her healing and how hard she has fought for her life in order to continue to provide for her children. I have seen the thoughtfulness she puts into her relationships with her children and wanting them to know and feel that they are unconditionally loved. I would love to see Sami and her kids thrive.

So many of us can picture a loved one’s face when we hear the word ‘cancer’, and I am hoping that we can all help Sami continue to rewrite her story of the impacts of incurable cancer with our collective financial and community support.

Thank you so much for reading and for providing financial support if possible! If not possible, please support Sami by sending some loving vibes and spreading the word. You and your support are appreciated.

Note: In the event of Sami's death, any savings she has left from the fundraiser would pass on equally to her daughters. She has left instructions that it would first max out Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), and then be used to care for the children.