Simon and Katherine Ouroutsoglou

Friends, family and community;

Our dear friends Simon and Katherine Ouroutsoglou need our help.. Simon is fighting for his life. Diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer on top of severe Crohn’s disease, he and his wife — both self-employed — are now without income and struggling to stay afloat. Please help us support this incredible family in their time of need. Every donation counts.

Simon’s Story:

In the summer of 2024, Simon began experiencing a worsening of his Crohn’s disease, which he has been living with for 30 years. Crohn’s has already taken so much from him — constant abdominal pain, unpredictable flare-ups, multiple surgeries, and countless hospitalizations. But this time, it was something more.

By November 2024, after a series of complications and testing, Simon was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called Anal Adenocarcinoma. The severity of his Crohn’s had masked the cancer, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Since then, he has endured unimaginable pain and a growing list of medical emergencies.

On December 11, 2024, Simon underwent emergency surgery that resulted in an ileostomy, leaving him dependent on an external ostomy bag that must be emptied up to 12 times a day due to a high-output stoma. He faces constant skin irritation, frequent leaks, and dangerous dehydration.

Since then, he has faced:

• Multiple falls due to low blood pressure and kidney dysfunction

• Daily pain, extreme fatigue, and limited mobility

• A 24-hour/day hydromorphone pain pump

• IV fluids 4 times a week administered by a home care nurse

• Radiation and chemotherapy with more treatments ahead

• An upcoming proctocolectomy surgery to remove his colon and rectum

• A future need for double hip replacements due to severe arthritis

Why We’re Asking for Your Help

Simon and his wife Katherine have always been self-employed, which means they don’t have insurance or sick leave to fall back on. As Simon’s condition has worsened, Katherine has taken on the role of his primary caregiver — helping him bathe, dress, manage his ostomy, and attend daily appointments at Sunnybrook Hospital.

While she’s doing her best to work a few hours here and there as a massage therapist, the physical demands of her job and the time required for Simon’s care have made it nearly impossible to maintain steady income.

Their three children — Gabriel, a first-year student at the University of Guelph; Michael, a student at Markham District Public Highschool and Sirena, who is in grade 8 at St. Julia Billiard Elementary Catholic School, are doing their best to stay strong, but the emotional and financial weight is immense.

To make matters worse, Simon’s CPP Disability application has been denied, leaving them without even the most basic financial support. While they continue to appeal, bills are mounting and hope is thinning.

How Your Donation Helps

Your donation will help cover:

• Essential medical supplies like ostomy bags, skin barrier creams, IV equipment, and medications

• Transportation and parking costs for daily hospital visits

• Groceries and basic living expenses while both Simon and Katherine are out of work

• Emergency home needs to accommodate Simon’s care (such as medical equipment and accessibility support)

Let’s Rally Around Simon and His Family

Simon is a beloved part of his community. Whether you know him through his plumbing work, the St. Julia Billiart school community, or from the car enthusiast scene at Burrito Boyz, Hwy 11 Cruisers, or Universal Cruisers, you know he’s the kind of person who brings people together.

Now it’s our turn to stand with Simon.

Every donation — no matter how small — helps.

Please consider giving, sharing this campaign, and keeping this beautiful family in your prayers.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.