I’m organizing this fundraiser for my best friend, Bry, who was recently diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer. In the months ahead, she will face chemotherapy and life-changing surgery, which will significantly impact her ability to support herself. Bry brings so much joy, laughter, and lightness into all of our lives, and now it’s our turn to surround her with the love and support she needs as she moves through this. Your support will allow Bry to focus her energy on treatment and recovery without the added stress of financial uncertainty.

Bry has always communicated with clarity, honesty, and care. With her permission, I’m sharing her words below about what this diagnosis means for her and how your support will help as she begins this journey. We are with you, Bry ❤️

"This announcement feels surreal. Already I am learning how a cancer journey is deeply personal and individual, yet collective and shared. Since my diagnosis, and perhaps even leading up to it, I have been continuously processing each new day and new medical experience as they come. I have learned that this is not and could never be a linear process; it will be dynamic and multifaceted throughout. I shuttle constantly between moments of fear, grief, and uncertainty as I contemplate the future and how my life is changing and will change; and moments of laughter, joy and kindness from the friends and family in my life, who have already moved to make sure I am surrounded by love and support as I am forced by circumstance to start this journey and prepare to fight like the solider I am.

A few days before Christmas, I was diagnosed with rare signet ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma—stomach cancer—and an aggressive diffuse type. This diagnosis came after months of trying to sort through symptoms like stomach pain, acid reflux, unbearable discomfort, nausea after eating and eventually puking after eating. It wasn’t until I was referred for a gastroscopy in November that it was determined there was a large tumour near the bottom of the inside of my stomach. It was ulcerated and causing near full obstruction of the small intestine. After weeks of tests and biopsies, the diagnosis arrived and it was the worst possible news. My life now feels divided between before and after cancer, and it is the after that I must now learn to prepare for and adjust to.

Before the diagnosis, I was locked into the final year of my sociology undergrad and preparing to apply for grad school—exuberant to continue my pursuit of a career in communications and digital & AI ethics. Now, I must come to terms with the fact that my goals for the future need to come to a pause. In a small frame of time, I have been overwhelmed with a newfound appreciation and admiration for all of those who live in this world while managing and battling chronic illness, disease and disability. It is so easy to take our independence and good health for granted. If there is one lesson I wish to share (and one that I’ll continue to learn) it’s that compassion, love, and care are truly our most bountiful human resources that we too easily overlook in our busy, distracted lives. So quickly in these last few weeks, I have seen my friends and family show up for me with incredible support that has allowed me to feel less alone and scared of the road ahead. There are no words to express the gratitude I have for all of you.

This past week, I had a diagnostic laparoscopy performed that is meant to help determine the stage of the cancer and the associated prognosis. Before those results come in, on January 23rd, I will start a chemotherapy regimen to stop the cancer from spreading and to prepare my body for a future surgery where my stomach will be removed, which will then be followed by another chemo regimen. Chemo hits everybody differently, but from what I understand, the regimen planned for my treatment will be particularly aggressive, just as the cancer inside of me is. It will impact my ability to support myself and at this time, I am humbly reaching out to those around me to share anything you can to help ensure I am able to financially support myself as I go through the medical challenges ahead. While much of the chemo treatment costs are covered by OHIP, there are many other essential costs I will need to cover like living expenses, transportation to frequent medical appointments, a specialized diet, and medical and recovery-related costs that aren’t covered by my insurance. Anything helps! Even just sharing the link would be deeply appreciated.

I will keep everybody updated as the journey unfolds with regular blurbs here and if all goes as planned will be starting a blog for this purpose soon. Stick with me and thank you all so much for the love and support. "