Support Christina and her family through cancer

Chrissy (Christina to most) and I met when we we were pregnant with our eldest kids. We were neighbours and became fast friends, bonding through the challenges of new motherhood and spending time together on the front lawn watching our kids grow up before us. She has always been kind, and funny in that perfect sarcastic but still humorous way. As any of you with kids know it is such an amazing experience, but as they say it is like walking around with your heart outside your own body..and you just want the best for them.

Many of you may have crossed paths with Christina through her work managing the Parkside Hotel and supporting many different events that have been held there, or with her two amazing kids Hunter and Hayden and through their schools and activities. Christina has always showed up with kindness and laughter and despite all that is happening is still doing that.

She has recently had a devastating diagnosis of metastatic Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (not smoking related), and like we would all be doing she is trying to spend as much time supporting her young family and making memories that will outlive her.

In December Christina started having pain in her legs, which progressed quickly to her not being able to walk and having a tumour found in her spinal column. She was transferred to Vancouver General Hospital for emergency surgery. Everyone was relieved as they thought they had dealt with the problem. However the pathology came back showing cancerous lung tissue. After further investigations, Christina and her husband Brian were devastated to find out that the pathology was correct and her scans confirmed lung cancer. Christina is currently taking oral chemotherapy which is helping to keep the tumours throughout her body small, but this treatment is simply buying her time…it will not cure her.

Christina and Brian have two boys Hunter (12) and Hayden (8) and they are her whole world. Brian and Christina met when they were in high school and reconnected in 2004, and have been together for 20 years. Brian is not only the love of her life, but a rock to her kids and will support them through losing their mother at such a young age. Seeing how Chrissy and Brian have been moving forward with this life changing diagnosis has been awe inspiring. Chrissy remains courageous and funny while continually trying to keep herself strong physically and emotionally so she can support her kids through this challenging time.

I think we can all see ourselves in Christina, trying to be strong for those we love, help to create memories that will last her boys a lifetime and show them how much she loves and cherishes them. But we also know that there are many other challenges coming down the track, a multitude of bills such as funeral expenses, Brian taking time off work to grieve and support his boys through their grief after losing their beloved mom.

I know I am asking myself how can we help? How can we support this amazing family who has touched so many lives with their friendship & joy? What would you want if you were in their shoes?

Let’s circle around them with love and generosity, let’s allow Chrissy, Brian, Hunter & Hayden the gift of time together, sharing laughter and love and making memories by taking the financial stresses off them.

Please help by donating what you can, every bit makes a difference.