The most beautiful things in life ...

Hi, my name is Ian. I'm humble and private, honest and hard working and it's hard for me to ask for things. My wife, Leah, and I had planned on doing a bit of travelling after I retired to see things that will make us smile as we grew old, but we've never had the money to do that. For a while, I had been feeling a bit odd and we visited the Seven Oaks hospital and I was diagnosed with brain cancer. Just over 2 weeks ago, I had brain surgery at Health Sciences and they determined it was Glioblastoma which is a rare form of brain cancer with no cure. My life expectancy is short.

It hurts my heart to see Leah cry when she starts to think about a life without me. Leah and the kids bring me so much meaning, happiness and joy to my life. You can see me smiling in this photo, I'm smiling at her and all the love she continues to give me. You see, Leah decided to come with a laptop to watch a movie, some popcorn and some pizza for us to share on a "date night" she planned. She makes everything feel special. This is how I want to live the rest of my life with Leah ... smiling and enjoying our time and trying not to let this get us down. I would like to take my incredible wife on a Manitoba excursion with day trips to see our province while I can and bring some more joy to Leah's face.

Our old car needs some repair and gas prices are more than we can afford. To do the trips, we need some small repairs on our car and some gas money and maybe I can treat her to dinner and a movie, we're not well off. I'm feeling overwhelmed and guilty because of the emotional and financial burden I'm leaving behind for her and the kids. This awful disease has taken my job and soon my voice, my thoughts, maybe even my dignity and eventually it'll take my life.

This would mean the world to me to take Leah on this trip! I want to thank everyone I have met in my life and the friendships they have given to us. Help me to make this beautiful woman keep smiling with this trip!