The Karyn People — people caring to lighten the load
Donation protected
On Thursday, November 28, 2024 Karyn asked her kids to call 911 because she thought she was having a stroke. When they arrived at the hospital and Karyn had a CT scan of her head, it showed that Karyn had a large brain tumour. The next day Karyn was transferred to Sunnybrook to be prepped for a brain biopsy which happened on Saturday, November 30. The brain biopsy was invasive and Karyn has had a tough recovery. She lost much of her peripheral vision on her left side, and mobility and cognitive function were affected, making it challenging to read, impossible to drive, and challenging to concentrate and emotionally regulate.
After the biopsy there was a 10 day wait for the results. The results came back as a malignant glioblastoma, which is an aggressive brain cancer that is typically not survivable. Because of the location, they couldn’t remove it (there was no debulking). Treatments offered were to extend life. The prognosis given was a year or so. Karyn has daily chemo and 5 days/week radiation from late December to mid February 2025.
Karyn has 2 kids who are her world. Tegan is graduating grade 12 in June '25, and is getting ready to go to university. Ewan works and is contemplating a return to school. Anyone who knows Karyn knows how much she loves her kids. Karyn also has a cat named Frankie that is such a source of joy and love during this difficult time. She is Karyn’s shadow.
Karyn and her partner Ryan met three years ago on EHarmony. What a gift. Even though they live 3 hours apart, love at first sight was a thing. After 40 hours of FaceTiming before meeting in person, they knew that this was it and they’ve never looked back. They had lots of adventures together and with their kids. Ryan’s son Max and Tegan and Ewan have enjoyed times to hang out and do things like going to feed fun animals at the Oshawa donkey sanctuary.
Because of the tumour and the brain biopsy Karyn can no longer drive, and at this moment isn’t able to work. She will have a few months of short-term disability available and then will be receiving long-term disability, which will only provide 65% of her income. With this in mind, Karyn and Ryan are asking for some help.
The funds that are given to this GoFundMe will be used for:
- Karyn’s rent for a small 2 bedroom apartment, groceries, debt reduction and car payment (which Tegan will be driving to help get Karyn to groceries etc.)
- Because Ryan lives in Sarnia he will be driving additional kilometres to get to Toronto (car maintenance / gas / parking)
- Karyn has chemo and radiation for 6 weeks, 5 days a week, and we’d like to help those who are willing to drive Karyn with parking passes at the hospital ($30 a day) and gas money.
- Karyn and Ryan have always dreamed of growing old together and travelling. If resources allow and Karyn is cleared to travel, we’ll look at taking a trip out east to Nova Scotia, PEI and Labrador where Karyn has family she’s never met (wherever health resources match her needs for safe travel)
Karyn’s priority has been to ensure there is a village surrounding her kids. If you want to participate in that community by offering support, they would be eternally grateful. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
rob rodenhuis
Organizer
Ajax, ON
Ryan Young
Beneficiary