Stage IV Treatment for Sharon Mann
Donation protected
This is a completely wonderful video Sharon's husband Tim made for her that shows her journey so far. AND he wrote and performs the song...
In late 2015, our dear friend Sharon Mann Compagna was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 breast cancer. This diagnosis, always shocking, is even harder to believe in someone who’s been a cornerstone of the fitness world since she was 17.
Not only has Sharon devoted her professional life to improving people’s health, she’s the most loving mom, wife, sister, aunt, and friend we know. I met Sharon on the first day of Grade 1 (not ours, our kids’). She loves nothing more than bringing people together, and I’m hoping you’ll join this community of support for her! Time is of the essence.
The Story So Far
Sharon’s first doctor advised her to do nothing about the lump (except for ultrasound). Her second doctor, over a year later, insisted on a biopsy. Things moved fast after that.
She pursued standard and alternative treatments, leaving no stone unturned in her quest for survival. In 2017, Sharon was given a clean bill of health and was considered to be cancer free..... Unfortunately, recent tests now show that the cancer has evolved and has metastasized to her liver. Immunotherapy treatment (not covered for breast cancer) looked promising, however was found to be ineffective. Surgery isn't an option. There is very little that can be offered through our current conventional medical system.
However, other treatment options are available outside of our system (see below).
Reality
Cancer makes us look at what we often put off, but shouldn’t: how to distill what matters most in life in order to navigate the rest of it in a meaningful and satisfying way.
For Sharon, what matters is time. To get her youngest, Aiden, through high school and into university. To help her aging parents. To advocate for funnier book club reads, and to try and talk her resisting husband, Tim, into getting a very small pig, because she loves animals so much that two dogs aren’t quite enough. To see son Ethan choose a path at the end of his degree. To see what Josh, her oldest, will do for his next adventure. To continue to, as she says, “live my life with joy, abundance, and gratitude.” Ordinary, everyday life we usually take for granted, now sweet and sharp.
Hope and Possibility
Sharon has just started a promising treatment plan in Germany. This entails cutting edge procedures including IPT, Photodynamic Therapy & Chemoembolization which have shown to have good tumour-shrinking potential. Her first treatment resulted in 25% shrinkage of all the liver tumours. The other treatment is a new gene therapy in Japan. Neither of these is available in Canada for people with breast cancer. Germany is the only place Sharon can get chemoembolization.
Sharon’s MRI radiologist said, “If all the people in your situation could have the treatments you’re going to, I think they would still be here.” We certainly wish everyone could.
People with Metastatic Cancer Need Life-Long Treatment
While the family has been lucky enough to be able to afford things so far, costs have reached $192,000 (as of August 2018), with no end in sight. Each trip to Germany is approximately $50,000, with several trips recommended for the most benefit. Six treatments in Japan is about $22,000 (not counting travel and accommodation).
Sharon and Tim are self-employed. Sharon isn’t teaching fitness, and Tim can't work while away from home with her. The stress is affecting the whole family. They’ve thought of selling their home, but the extra stress would put them over the top right now.
As another of her doctors put it, “When people are less stressed, they do better in their treatments.”
Gratitude and Sharing
On behalf of Sharon and her family, I would be so grateful for any amount you can contribute! Donations go toward the cost of treatment and related travel.
In addition, it would be so great if you would share this GoFundMe. It’s easy – just share my link on your Facebook timeline, or copy and paste it into an email. Thank you from my heart, and the many hearts in Sharon’s community!
“Love is the best strategy for healing.” – Stephen Levine
In late 2015, our dear friend Sharon Mann Compagna was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 breast cancer. This diagnosis, always shocking, is even harder to believe in someone who’s been a cornerstone of the fitness world since she was 17.
Not only has Sharon devoted her professional life to improving people’s health, she’s the most loving mom, wife, sister, aunt, and friend we know. I met Sharon on the first day of Grade 1 (not ours, our kids’). She loves nothing more than bringing people together, and I’m hoping you’ll join this community of support for her! Time is of the essence.
The Story So Far
Sharon’s first doctor advised her to do nothing about the lump (except for ultrasound). Her second doctor, over a year later, insisted on a biopsy. Things moved fast after that.
She pursued standard and alternative treatments, leaving no stone unturned in her quest for survival. In 2017, Sharon was given a clean bill of health and was considered to be cancer free..... Unfortunately, recent tests now show that the cancer has evolved and has metastasized to her liver. Immunotherapy treatment (not covered for breast cancer) looked promising, however was found to be ineffective. Surgery isn't an option. There is very little that can be offered through our current conventional medical system.
However, other treatment options are available outside of our system (see below).
Reality
Cancer makes us look at what we often put off, but shouldn’t: how to distill what matters most in life in order to navigate the rest of it in a meaningful and satisfying way.
For Sharon, what matters is time. To get her youngest, Aiden, through high school and into university. To help her aging parents. To advocate for funnier book club reads, and to try and talk her resisting husband, Tim, into getting a very small pig, because she loves animals so much that two dogs aren’t quite enough. To see son Ethan choose a path at the end of his degree. To see what Josh, her oldest, will do for his next adventure. To continue to, as she says, “live my life with joy, abundance, and gratitude.” Ordinary, everyday life we usually take for granted, now sweet and sharp.
Hope and Possibility
Sharon has just started a promising treatment plan in Germany. This entails cutting edge procedures including IPT, Photodynamic Therapy & Chemoembolization which have shown to have good tumour-shrinking potential. Her first treatment resulted in 25% shrinkage of all the liver tumours. The other treatment is a new gene therapy in Japan. Neither of these is available in Canada for people with breast cancer. Germany is the only place Sharon can get chemoembolization.
Sharon’s MRI radiologist said, “If all the people in your situation could have the treatments you’re going to, I think they would still be here.” We certainly wish everyone could.
People with Metastatic Cancer Need Life-Long Treatment
While the family has been lucky enough to be able to afford things so far, costs have reached $192,000 (as of August 2018), with no end in sight. Each trip to Germany is approximately $50,000, with several trips recommended for the most benefit. Six treatments in Japan is about $22,000 (not counting travel and accommodation).
Sharon and Tim are self-employed. Sharon isn’t teaching fitness, and Tim can't work while away from home with her. The stress is affecting the whole family. They’ve thought of selling their home, but the extra stress would put them over the top right now.
As another of her doctors put it, “When people are less stressed, they do better in their treatments.”
Gratitude and Sharing
On behalf of Sharon and her family, I would be so grateful for any amount you can contribute! Donations go toward the cost of treatment and related travel.
In addition, it would be so great if you would share this GoFundMe. It’s easy – just share my link on your Facebook timeline, or copy and paste it into an email. Thank you from my heart, and the many hearts in Sharon’s community!
“Love is the best strategy for healing.” – Stephen Levine
Organizer and beneficiary
Leslie Hood
Organizer
North Vancouver, BC
Sharon Mann
Beneficiary
