Hello all, Alex Charbonneau here. I am writing on behalf of the Charbonneau family and especially my Gramma, Jude Charbonneau. As some of you might know, in 2024 my Gramma Jude was diagnosed with cancer. After undergoing extensive radiation and chemo-therapy she heroically BEAT CANCER! Although she remains cancer free, the treatment she received brought an onslaught of other health complications.

In January of this year, Jude began experiencing extreme pain and weakness in her legs which ultimately led to the complete inability to walk. She was then hospitalized as my Papa, Don Charbonneau could no longer provide enough care for her at home. Her hospitalization began at our own Lady Dunn and from there she has been flown to Sault Area Hospital, Thunder Bay regional health sciences, and now most recently London University Hospital.

Everywhere she was transported, my Papa, Don and mom, Dawn were close behind by vehicle!

Jude is currently still at London University Hospital. She is in In Patient care in the Neurological Unit awaiting the outcome of neurological tests, studies and diagnosis.

While a final diagnosis will be a relief, there will be a long road of rehabilitation and recovery ahead for Jude that will inevitably have to take place away from home. All of us will continue to travel and to be off of work intermittently for the foreseeable future.

While Northern Ontario Health travel grants do help, in this case Jude's last two months of hospital travel has been by Air Orange. This means gas is not covered for primary care givers travelling for support.

This is why I've decided to start a GoFundMe with a goal of $5000. These funds will be to support her primary caregiver, Don such as travel and accommodations, daily living on the road and not to mention accessibility renovations that will need to be made to their home when she eventually returns home from the hospital.

*Special acknowledgment to the hospitals and their hardworking staff that have shown compassion and care for my Gramma over the past two months and.

*Special acknowledgment to Don Charbonneau and Dawn Charbonneau, husband (father) and daughter team who have not left Jude's side ONCE since all of this began.

*Special acknowledgment to Lisa Giddens (Jude's sister) for flying in from British Columbia and providing invaluable support

Thank you to all of our amazing friends and family who have shown support thus far and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any donation big or small.

-The Charbonneaus