Support Iona Paul Fight Stage 4 Lung Cancer

Hello friends, family, and community,

Our grandma Iona is a loving First Nations woman from Tsartlip and Syilx Okanagan, British Columbia. She has dedicated her 58 years of life to raising her 5 children and 18 grandchildren. Throughout her life, she has also adopted many relatives whom she helped house, feed, clothe, support, and guide. She takes great pride in her culture, land, traditional teachings, singing, dancing, knitting, weaving, sewing, cooking, and storytelling.

Unfortunately, Iona was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in late 2022 after surgical removal of colon cancer. She has endured 12 rounds of chemotherapy, but many of the cancer spots have grown by 20% and there has been minimal reduction.

The doctors and lung specialists predict that she will only live for another 1.5 years with no possibility of terminating the cancer. We have been told that chemotherapy is now a permanent part of her routine. Regardless of what the doctors say, we are here to help her fight to live a long and happy life. Iona is a powerful and inspiring woman who deserves to continue being a loving wife, mom, sister, aunty, and grandma.

We appreciate every one of you who has been supporting her along this journey and we are hoping for your continued support as our grandma endures more unexpected side effects of chemotherapy. She has recently gone through two dental surgeries, having most of her teeth extracted due to her low white blood cell count. Her energy levels also remain low after each treatment, making it difficult to carry out her normal daily routines and cultural obligations. Since an undiagnosed lung infection in August, a nasal infection now clogs her ears making it difficult to hear. Our grandma routinely coughs up blood each morning and has long coughing attacks throughout the day. Physically, she has been able to keep on her weight, but her skin is delicate, and she has lost all of her hair. Her voice remains strong. If Iona could tell each of you how much she loves, cares, and prays for you, she would.

We are asking for small donations from our family, friends, and community to help create a comfortable life for our grandma while she courageously fights cancer. The money raised will be used for Iona's required dental work, travel, cosmetics, safety equipment, nutrients, functional care, and medications.

If you can give any gift this holiday, make it a gift that comes from your heart and spirit.

HUY CH Q'U (Thank you)!