Our Goal: $30,000 to Fight Lupus and Pay Medical Bills.

Grace Rice has been stuck in the Philippines since late June of 2025 in what was supposed to be a one month stay with family. Instead of enjoying a reunion with family, she suffered a lupus attack that has kept her there. She has had to be admitted to hospital in Cebu several times. The latest was on December 22nd and she is still there to date.

In Canada, she is a beloved and dedicated teacher who has devoted her career to the Innu children of Natuashish, Labrador. So, we are reaching out to ask for your urgent support to help us pay for life-saving medical treatment and outstanding hospital bills so she can finally come home.

Some of you may remember Grace from her school or university years. Others may remember her as the main organizer of our house parties in Villa 88 of AJ1 ( an important distinction to those who worked at the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar).

For the past four years and also from 2016-2017, Grace has been a passionate and inspiring educator in Natuashish. She has poured her heart into the community, teaching and mentoring Innu children, recognizing the unique importance of their culture and future. Her commitment to her students goes far beyond the classroom.

The Current Medical Situation: SLE Lupus Complications Abroad and enlargement of the spleen

While visiting family in the Philippines, Grace suffered a serious and sudden flare-up of Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), a chronic autoimmune disease. The complications have been severe, requiring extensive and costly medical care. The cost of her intensive treatment and her existing, outstanding medical bills must be settled before the hospital will authorize her discharge and travel. Furthermore, she will require surgery and recovery from that surgery before she can return to Canada.

Any kind donation, even five or ten dollars, will be a great help.

We are asking you to open your hearts. Hopefully we can raise $30,000 to cover the following essential costs:

-SLE Lupus Treatment Covering ongoing medications, tests, and specialized care necessary to stabilize her condition.

-Outstanding Medical Bills Settling all current hospital and physician fees in the Philippines to secure her release.

-Travel Home Covering necessary medical escorts and flights to get Grace safely back to Canada for ongoing care.

Grace's return is critical because she needs to access the specialized, long-term care available to her in Canada.

Please Help Grace Come Home

Every donation will move us one step closer to ultimately bringing Grace back to good health. Please donate today and share this campaign widely.

Thank you for helping us bring Grace back to good health!