Update: February 12, 2026

We want to share an update on Alissa’s health, and first — to thank each and every person who has supported her so far. The generosity, the messages, the quiet check-ins, the shares — they have carried us more than you know. We feel the love around her every single day.

Just months after the removal of the tumour in her arm, we believed we were turning a corner. So this recent development has come as an unexpected and deeply difficult shock.

On January 25th, after experiencing intense abdominal pain, Alissa went to the hospital where doctors discovered a new 8 cm cancerous mass that had grown into her intestines and abdominal wall. She underwent emergency surgery that same day, requiring a resection of part of her small intestine. After six days in hospital, she was able to return home and has been recovering with remarkable strength.

Following further appointments with BC Cancer, we have learned that this is the same cancer as before. The recommended next step is chemotherapy — a systemic approach designed to reduce the risk of future tumour growth and recurrence.

The treatment plan is intensive: 14 cycles of chemotherapy at three-week intervals, spanning close to 10 months. During this time, it is unlikely that Alissa will be able to work.

Before beginning chemotherapy, Alissa has the option to undergo private egg retrieval. The type of chemotherapy she will receive can induce early menopause and significantly impact her reproductive system. Fertility preservation is not fully covered. In addition, several essential medications — including three anti-nausea prescriptions required throughout treatment — are also not fully covered. Hair loss is expected, and the cost of wigs and related care will be another reality to navigate.

Your contributions are directly helping to cover:

Because of your support, we have already been able to move forward with important decisions without the added weight of immediate financial panic. That matters more than we can say. Your generosity is not just supportive — it is stabilizing. It allows Alissa to focus her strength on healing.

Although this road feels overwhelming, Alissa continues to show a resilience that humbles us. Even in the most frightening moments, she brings humour, honesty, and heart. She is facing this with courage — and she is not facing it alone.

Thank you for standing beside her. Thank you for helping us build a soft landing during an unimaginably hard time.

With love and gratitude,

Tara and Suzy

Original post: August, 2025

Over the past couple of months, what Alissa thought was a stubborn injury became a search for answers amid growing discomfort and uncertainty. In May of this year, while facing a layoff and searching for work, Alissa noticed a large lump forming on her upper left arm. It grew quickly, prompting concern. Trusting her intuition, she continued to advocate for herself—pushing through preliminary appointments and ultimately requesting an urgent MRI. That persistence led to a referral to the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA), where a biopsy revealed rhabdomyosarcoma: a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma. It accounts for fewer than 1% of adult cancers, which helps explain why few of us have ever come across it.

If you know Alissa, you know her sunshine. As she begins treatment, she’s open to receiving anything that helps—donations, shares, kind words, and prayers from every corner of the world that has felt her light. Many hands make light work; our commitment is to endure with grace and help Alissa heal gently.

Alissa is deeply grateful for the love and encouragement being sent her way. At the same time, her ability to respond may vary depending on how she’s feeling day-to-day. To help her conserve energy, we ask that messages be left here on the GoFundMe page—or simply held close until she’s feeling more ready to connect. Your care and understanding are so appreciated.

The Story:

Hi, we’re Tara (Alissa’s sister) and Suzy (her best friend).

Alissa’s diagnosis means a demanding road ahead: five weeks of radiation, up to seven weeks of rest and re-imaging, then a major, carefully planned surgery to remove the tumor and rebuild her arm using local muscle, with healing split between time in hospital and many weeks of recovery at home, leading into a rehabilitative period to protect her mobility. We’ll share more as dates are confirmed and plans evolve. As Alissa begins this new journey, she remains the generous, joyful person we love—checking in on others, cracking jokes, and finding bright spots even on hard days.

For the next several months, Alissa won’t be working. Unfortunately, being out of work at the time of her diagnosis means that Alissa's financial situation is fragile. We’re raising funds so she can focus on healing—not on bills or logistics. Your donations will also relieve day-to-day pressures so she has the hands-on support she needs from loved ones. If donating isn’t possible, your messages, shares, or prayers are a real gift. Thank you in advance for your help and support—our gratitude runs deep.