Save Sue! Rally for a True Community Warrior

For 36 years, Sue Guarda has battled cancer with extraordinary courage. Diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene mutation at age 25, she has faced numerous cancer recurrences — each one robbing her of time, health, and many dreams. But she’s never stopped fighting, never stopped showing up for others.

Now, she’s facing her most aggressive — and rarest — cancer yet. And this time, she urgently needs our help.

The Challenge

Sue is now fighting a rare vaginal cancer that’s unrelated to her BRCA1 history. Her oncology team has prescribed a combination of three drugs: two chemotherapy agents (covered by OHIP) and Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) — a powerful immunotherapy not covered by OHIP or her husband’s employer’s drug plan, because of how rare this cancer is.

Last year, this exact combination helped her beat the odds and achieve remission. Even her doctors were amazed. But due to cost the 2 year treatment plan was unattainable.

Why Sue Deserves Our Support

Sue Guarda has spent decades pouring her time, energy, and heart into this community. Though cancer prevented her from having children or holding full-time employment, she found countless ways to give back — and if you’ve met Sue, you know she did it with full force and zero apologies.

She served for years on the Queenswood Heights Community Association and the Queenswood Heights Recreation Association, where she helped organize local events and manage the outdoor rinks with Big Al.

She volunteers at The Bookworm, a used bookstore operated by Friends of the Library volunteers — with all proceeds going directly to support the Ottawa Public Library.

She also helped research and co-author The History of Queenswood Heights with her mom, ensuring the story of her neighbourhood lives on.

Known to many as “Aunt Sue”, she’s a fierce friend, a devoted community member, and the kind of person who’ll drop an F-bomb in the chemo chair just to lighten the mood. Her salty sense of humour and firecracker honesty have made her unforgettable — in the best way.

Sue fights cancer the same way she lives life: loudly, fiercely, and full of heart. Now she needs her community to fight alongside her.

How You Can Make a Difference

Every donation helps fund the Keytruda treatments that are keeping Sue alive. Chemotherapy alone isn’t proven to be effective for this rare type of cancer — it’s the combination with immunotherapy that gives Sue real hope.

$9,502 = One life-saving dose

$57,012 = Full 6-treatment starting round

$240,000 = Two full years of treatment

Any amount makes a difference. Every share spreads hope.

From Sue’s Heart — Unfiltered, as Always

Sue’s dream is simple: more time. More evenings with her husband. More laughter with friends. More time to give, to live, and to swear inappropriately when the mood strikes.

She’s never taken a single day for granted — and with your help, she’ll get many more.

Let’s rally like Sue would want us to: with heart, humour, and zero patience for cancer.

Donate now. Share widely. Join #TeamSue #FvckCancerForSue #FCancer #CancerSucks #FightLikeHell #KeytrudaForSue #StandWithSue #CommunityStrong #ImmunotherapyNow

“We’ve got this — because we’ve got each other.”

Help us reach Sue’s next treatment milestone — one dose at a time.