Hello, my name is Ilara, and this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to ask.

Less than a year ago, my mom, Maureen, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. While devastating, the diagnosis also brought clarity—finally confirming what I had been seeing for years and opening the door to getting her the care she truly needs.

My mom lives alone in a small town in Saskatchewan, more than 10 hours away by car. There is no nearby bus or air service anymore, which means driving is the only way I can see her. This is especially challenging because I am a home dialysis patient. Accessing dialysis outside my city requires months of advance planning, and even then, the nearest unit is still an hour from her town. In an emergency, I can only manage a single overnight visit.

Despite support services—home care, a housekeeper, and Meals on Wheels—my mom is declining rapidly. The moment when she will need to move into a high-needs care facility is approaching quickly. She understandably doesn’t want to leave the home she loves, and navigating that emotional transition will be difficult enough.

The greatest barrier, however, is financial.

My mom survives on a basic old age pension, which covers less than half the cost of the level of care she now requires. Over the years, she carefully set aside enough money for her funeral—something I refuse to touch, because I want to honor her wishes.

I live in Alberta on disability benefits, and my financial reality leaves no flexibility to support a move or cover care costs, let alone bridge the gap while government systems catch up.

My mom spent her life caring for others—especially me, her disabled child. She never learned how to put herself first. Watching her living conditions worsen within a broken care system has been heartbreaking, and I am doing everything I can to give her the dignity, safety, and compassion she deserves.

My hope is to move her closer to me, so I can be present with her during this final chapter of her life. Once she is safely settled, we will work toward securing long-term subsidies and additional supports—but these systems move slowly.

Raising $50,000 would give us approximately one year of stability—time to relocate her, cover immediate care costs, and navigate the complex funding processes without her falling through the cracks.

Every dollar raised will be transferred directly to my mom’s account and used solely for her care, housing, and relocation.

I wish we lived in a world where seniors received care regardless of income. Sadly, that is not our reality. If you are able to donate or share this fundraiser, you would be helping me do for my mom what she has always done for me—show up with love when it matters most.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for being part of this moment with us.