Gisele and Colin's Fight Against Kidney Cancer

Our Story

My name is Colin Fraser... It isn't easy for me to ask for help. I've worked hard all my life, but when the woman you love is sick, you'll do anything to help her.

In full transparency, I had some friends help me put together this write-up because they're worried that it isn’t healthy to keep up with this schedule.

My wife, Gisele, and I have been together for 25 years, and I wouldn't change any of it. We’re private people… homebodies, and our circle of friends is small. Asking for help is hard… really hard, but there comes a time when you need to look beyond yourself, and your own pride, and reach out to those around you.

Our Lives Before Cancer

We've both been self-proclaimed workaholics. Gisele worked as a seamstress until her retirement a couple of years ago. Gisele loves playing online word games with her friends and has always been an avid reader. I've worked nights at a local dairy farm for the past 18 years and thankfully, my employers have been great throughout all of this!

When Everything Changed

In August 2022, Gisele went for a routine check-up before a rare vacation to visit family in Northern Ontario. She wasn’t sick, but the doctor decided to send her for routine blood work. Our trip was wonderful! It was a spur-of-the-moment trip, and it was like a sign from the universe that we needed to connect with family because our lives were about to change – and fast. Doctors found blood in Gisele's urine. One test led to another, and she was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

In October 2023, the surgeons decided to remove the worst kidney, her left one. Her right kidney was also full of cancer, with only about 10% function remaining.

Our Current Situation

In March 2024, we started kidney dialysis. At first, we were travelling to Ottawa (about an hour away) three times a week for treatments. Luckily, we were able to get a spot in Hawkesbury, and now it only takes about 10 minutes for dialysis. Gisele has 4-hour dialysis sessions every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays. While these outings are necessary, they’re also quite exhausting. Our appointments with her cancer specialists continue to be in Ottawa.

Recently, things have become more complex. Doctors discovered two lumps on her 7th rib and a growth "the size of a small tangerine" on her tailbone. Gisele spent six weeks at an Ottawa hospital. When I wasn’t at work, I was with her. She has undergone six rounds of back-to-back radiation, to try to shrink the mass on her right kidney.

We're awaiting results to see if the radiation has been effective in shrinking it.

The Daily Struggle

I work every night from 11 PM to 1 PM the next day. Most days, I manage to get about three hours of sleep between caring for Gisele and attending doctor's appointments. Though I don't like leaving her alone at night, we have a friend with a key in case of emergencies.

From the beginning, we decided to face this head on, as a couple, and I attend all of her appointments with her. I'm committed to doing whatever it takes to make her comfortable.

As a diabetic, I also face my own health challenges (medications costing $400-500 monthly). I’ve recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure and cholesterol too. But this story isn't about me… we just wanted to make sure you understand some of our daily struggles.

Why We Need Help

While Gisele is home for now, we realize that could change anytime, depending on the type of care she requires. The medical expenses, reduced work capacity, and ongoing care needs have stretched our resources to the breaking point.

We never knew how expense cancer meds would be... between medical expenses of about $15,000 and lost income of about $10,000 (to accompany Gisele to Doctor's appointments) we're just trying to make ends meet....

Creating this GoFundMe wasn't an easy decision.

We're hard-working, independent, proud people, but our friends have convinced us that reaching out might help ease our burden during this difficult time.

A Small Request



We appreciate you reading our story and considering a donation. Every small donation will make a huge difference!

Before you go, may I ask a small favour? Hug the people you love, right now! You never know how one phone call can change your life forever.

Gisele and Colin