Support Vladimir & His Family's Fight Against Brain Cancer

Dear friends, family and neighbours,

We are a group of Vladimir’s friends (aka the Tumournators!), rallying together to raise money to help him and his family in their courageous battle against brain cancer.

Just two years ago, Vladimir and Yulia Strembitska, along with their children — Sonya (12) and George (7) — fled the war in Ukraine. One morning, they woke to the sound of bombs landing in their hometown. In an instant, everything they had built — their home —their community, their security — was gone.

After a year of living under rocket fire, they arrived in Canada with nothing but a few suitcases and each other. They had no jobs, no home, and did not speak English but with strength and resilience, they rebuilt. They found work, enrolled their children in school, began volunteering, and just recently were so proud to become permanent Canadian residents.

However, life has now thrown them another devastating challenge.

In early 2025, at just 39 years old, Vladimir was diagnosed with an aggressive Grade IV astrocytoma (glioblastoma) brain tumour — one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. He has already undergone major brain surgery and now faces months of radiation, chemotherapy, and recovery with uncertain outcomes and potential long-term effects.

Throughout this, Vladimir and Yulia have remained hopeful, grounded in faith and love for their children. But the journey ahead will be long, and it comes with deep emotional and financial hardship. While their family remains strong in spirit and faith, the road to recovery will come with financial burdens due to loss of income as Vladimir works a contract position with no medical benefits. They would also like to incorporate specialized treatment and care not covered by traditional insurance plans.

This fundraiser will help lift that burden so they can focus on what matters most: healing, being together, and holding on to hope.

Whether you know their family personally or were simply moved by their story, we ask you to stand with them.

Your donation — no matter how small — will make a difference.

It will help with treatment costs, essential healing therapies, and basic living expenses during this difficult time. If you are unable to make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated if you would consider sharing the fundraiser information.

Let’s give this beautiful family a big Canadian hug and help them walk through this storm with strength, dignity, and love.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Thank you.

— Team Tumournator