Support the Bertolini Family

As many of you know, last summer, the Bertolini family was hit with a devastating blow. My uncle, Mike Bertolini, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma after suffering from severe mood swings, headaches, dizziness and depression. Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain cancer with no cure. Mike has been fighting for his life since August 2021, his family forced to watch helplessly as daily life gets harder and harder for him to navigate. Despite aggressive and experimental treatments offered by his team of doctors at Sunnybrook Hospital, Mike continues his fight with little improvement.

Mike (it feels weird not to call him Zio) has always been the financial provider for his family and the countless other family members who have lived with them over the years. Even if he’s not your Zio, people call him “Zio Mike”. While his wife Nancy is known for her delicious cooking and flawless garden, Mike has always provided the main financial support for the family, working in IT for many years. Mike is the kindest, sweetest, most soft-spoken man you could hope to meet. From adopting a disabled dog to giving a helping hand to anyone that needed it, to opening his home to family members to live in, to driving cross country to help people move, Mike has done it all. We are blessed that he is a part of our family.

Their son Michael is 20 years old and registered in full-time school to become a Police Officer. He also works part-time in a bakery, working hard to pay for his school tuition. Nancy has been working (way too many hours) cleaning houses to try to make ends meet since Mike has been unable to work since his diagnosis. The family is drowning. A Gofundme page is the last resort to help them keep their heads above water and for Mike to remain in his family home while he receives care and continues to fight this ugly disease.

Many of you know that whenever someone needed help, shelter, or support (emotional, financial or otherwise), the Bertolini family has never said no. They have an open-door policy. If there was a cause to support, Mike was there to help. From the ALS Challenge to the Walk a Day in Her Shoes fundraiser, Mike put on the red heels and proudly walked the streets of Toronto. This time, it is their family that needs the support.

The Bertolini family wishes to express their sincere thanks to those of you who have already generously provided support to them, whether it be by way of a financial gift, loan, dropping off food, groceries or just visits to check-in, they are grateful for your love and support. The entire family sees that they are struggling now, more than ever, and asks that if you are able to make a donation to help cover some of the carrying costs of their home, and future expenses, it will go a long way to alleviate at least some of pressure they are facing so they can focus on being there for Mike at this time.