It’s Our Time to Help Our Wendell

2024: **New update**

Hi all, We are carrying on with this original fundraiser for Wendell, as starting a new one creates a lot of Admin troubles. Our new goal is actually approx $20K and we have currently raised around $4800 since I revived this GFM on Dec 22/2023.

Happy New Year !

Jadranka here - Sending out a reminder as we need to urgently help Wendell with her pending medical and dental procedures.

Due to the major surgery and chemotherapy treatments Wendell received for the endometrial cancer ( 6 sessions, at 6 hours each over the span of about 5 months back in 2022)… her teeth have deteriorated so much to the point that they need to be removed surgically. At the same surgery, she will receive replacement teeth.

However, all this costs money that Wendell does not have because she’s only working part time. The oral surgery and new teeth will cost approximately $20,000 and the oral surgeon/denturist/surgical centers all want their payments up front. Wendell just does not have that kind of money on-hand, and she does not have any other avenues to assist her.

She does have some medical insurance, but it is a very complex system and slow process, and she doesn’t know how much of the dental procedures will be reimbursed, or when.

The insurance provider doesn’t pay for anything up front, and they will review the case after all the payments are done which could take weeks or months.

As we all know, Wendell has given so much of herself over the last 28 years, emotionally and personally. For example, she’s been a therapist to all of us, our personal Dr. Wendell where we could go to her office and bare our souls and somehow, and she would always make us feel better. And she built EA’s Outreach from scratch, back in 2001 and has given so much of herself to the program and our community. This is why I am running this fundraiser for our sweet friend.

Please note that this fundraiser is a revival of the one we started pre-cancer treatments and doesn’t show the true amount of GFM funds currently available to Wendell. So far, we have raised approximately $4800 CAD which is wonderful, but we do need more.

THANK YOU so much to those that have donated previously, or for a second time.

If you can share this within your networks, we would really appreciate it.

If any questions, please let me know.

Sending so much love and gratitude to all of you.

Xox love from Wendell (“Toothless in Vancouver” ), and Jadranka !

original post from 2021: Most of you have been touched by Wendell’s generosity and giving nature at some point over the years. Whether it was a big hug or her acting as a sounding board during a challenging time. Wendell has always given with all her heart, never asking for anything in return. She has inspired all of us in some way; showing us all how much of an impact an act of kindness can have - and mostly has just made our lives brighter than before. Now, it’s our turn to show up for Wendell and lift her up in her time of need.

Wendell was recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer. While a cancer diagnosis is not what anyone wants to hear, this one is treatable, so Wendell, and those who love her, are taking comfort in knowing this. As she continues to undergo medical assessments and waits for further treatment details; what is clear is that this may entail a longer road to recovery than anticipated. Wendell would never ask for any assistance, so we are doing it on her behalf to ensure that Wendell’s main focus remains on her health and recovery; nothing else.

Wendell would like all of you to know that she dearly misses her friends and Outreach partners and can’t wait to get back to her community as soon as she can. Outreach has been her passion for the past 27 years at EA and after helping so many kids and teens get through their cancer diagnoses, she never thought that she would face it herself. The funds collected will allow her to take her time and ensure a full recovery before coming back.

This is where you come in!

Anything you are able to donate will go directly to Wendell and will just allow her the peace of mind to focus on her health and nothing beyond that at this time. Please continue to send Wendell your well wishes as we know they mean so much to her!

Thank you in advance for your support!