Help for Lidy and Joel Dipert

Hello,

My name is Melissa Derksen and I am close friend of Lidy and Joel Dipert. I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of the Dipert family, as they need support. Lidy has just received the news that she has aggressive stage IV colon cancer, that has spread to numerous spots on her bones. Being under 40 years old with zero risk factors, family history or reason why this would happen, this has come as a massive shock to the Dipert's and their extended family.

There are many unknowns at this point. Surgery is currently not an option, and Lidy is too unwell to travel to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary for treatment. Once she is strong enough, she will be transferred to TBCC to start rigorous chemotherapy and radiation. Treatment will be ongoing for an indefinite length of time. Joel and Lidy's parents have both dropped everything and have come to Airdrie to be with them, and help with the kids and the house.

If you are able, please donate generously to help them with financial costs as they travel to and from the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for treatment for the forseeable future. Many costs will accrue, including, parking and gas on top of the regular monthly bills, mortgage, groceries etc, that need to be paid with an extremely reduced monthly income. With both of them being off work for an indefinite amount of time, any and all financial help is greatly appreciated. Lidy and Joel both started brand new teaching careers in September, and now have both taken an LOA from their jobs at this time. Lidy just graduated with her teaching degree in June, and they have 3 school-aged children at home to support.

A bit of backstory:

Lidy has been having some significant GI issues for the last few months. Over thanksgiving weekend, things got quite a bit worse with her bowels, and abdominal bloating and pain. After a couple weeks of bowel rest with a soft food and liquid diet with no improvement, she went to Urgent Care in Airdrie on Nov 8. An X-ray revealed a great amount of stool had built up in her intestines, so she was instructed to go to the ER for more testing. At PLC ER in Calgary, further tests were done, and a CT scan revealed that she had a partial bowel obstruction caused by a tumour that was found in the lower part of her colon. Lidy had a colonoscopy a few days later where a bowel stent was inserted to help with the movement of stool, and a biopsy was sent. Pathology results from the tumour came back on Nov 14 where it was revealed that it was cancerous; a bone scan the same day showed that it had already spread.

Other ways to support:

1) Praying without ceasing.

2) GC for gas, groceries, skip the dishes

3) Cards or notes of encouragement

4) Small gifts or treats for the kids, so that they feel supported

5) Prayers and words of encouragement to Joel's and Lidy's parents and siblings.

On behalf of the entire Dipert and Reijnen families, we are asking you to partner with Lidy and Joel with financial donations and an abundance of prayer. We continue to believe in a miracle-working God who is sovreign, and reigns overall. Prayers for provision, strength, peace and total HEALING, that her body would come into complete alignment and restoration to how she was created in the image of God is what we declare.

Thank you for your concern and care for Lidy!

To not overwhelm Joel and Lidy with phone and text messages, please add yourself to the below facebook group where myself and another close friend will be posting regular updates as Lidy progresses through treatment. All messages of support will be passed on to Joel and Lidy.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/669439451409080/