Widowed mother of 5 fights cancer
Donation protected
Together with my friend Elena Karpelson we have organized this campaign to help Leeann. Elena had known Leeann for over 12 years.
So we are calling out to all compassionate people out there!
Leeann is a mother of 5 from Keswick, Ontario, who lost her husband to cancer in 2011. At the moment she is battling her own rare form of cancer - Herthle cell carcinoma. On September 12 Leeann will have a surgery and will need 6-8 weeks to recover, but she can't afford such a long time from work without pay.
Let's help Leeann recover from the surgery AND support her family at the same time!
Here is Leeann's story in details:
In June of 2009, with a mixed family at home including our 8 children (5 together) my husband was diagnosed with advanced stage of kidney cancer. There is no treatment for this type of cancer so many long hours were spent at Princess Margaret hospital trying new drugs to no avail.
He passed away with us by his side Jan 17th 2011.
Leaving me with twin 4 year olds, a 5 year old, 14 and 19 year old and three grown stepsons . His life insurance policy was not enough to cover our house and eventually after almost 4 years of struggling I lost the home to the bank. The kids were growing and it was appearent that I needed to take on a second job to keep my head above water.
I work 6 days a week at 2 jobs, one of which is a dental assistant that I have done for 23 years. I'm a very hard worker and have tried to play the roll of both mom and dad since 2011 and although I know my kids have some very basic food and shelter, there are no options for extras.
We do not have luxuries that others see as necessities. There is no computer in our home and I drive a vehicle in desperate need of repair. We've never taken a vacation or left Canada for that matter. But I'm thier rock and have always been able to give them what's needed.
Last October I had noticed that my weight was dramatically down ( as of now I lost 67 lbs.) and I was often very tired. I put it to the fact that I had been working almost 60 hours a week and fought my exhaustion.
In December I felt like I had a lump in my throat that would not go away. After an ultrasound it was determined I had a number of growths on my thyroid. I was sent to an E.N.T who told me there was nothing wrong with me.
After a few months of feeling constantly tired and losing even more weight, the left side of my face became numb and I was choking on my own saliva. I went to a new specialist who immediately sent me for numerous tests and finally a biopsy. The first biopsy result showed one the most rare type of cancer, Herthle cell carcinoma. It was sent for a second opinion at Princess Margaret Hospital to confirm. The second test confirmed the diagnosis and found follicular involvement. This type of cancer is only present in about 4%of all cases . It predominantly effects those over 65 years of age so it was a bit confusing for my surgeon and he requested help from some specialists familiar with this type.
During this ordeal my body has done some very strange things. I've had my period for 34 days straight. I'm freezing cold or sweating profusely in a ten minute span. I can sleep 7 hours and an hour after I'm awake be so physically exausted . Everything aches .My neck and throat are constantly in a state of pain.
Some further tests (ultrasound led biopsy) showed a new tumor that was not there on the previous scan
This concluded that it was in fact multiplying.
I will be going for surgery on Sept 12th. At which time I will have my thyroid, all 4 parathyroid glands and 3 lymph nodes from my neck removed.
I will then be placed on chemotherapy.
I have been able to secure one week off of work. I will use my vacation pay to cover this time off (which normally is used for my children at christmas) It has been recommended for healing purposes to remain off work for at least 6-8 weeks however that is financially impossible.
I appreciate any help you are able to assist me with.
And some prayers please!
Leeann Lake
So we are calling out to all compassionate people out there!
Leeann is a mother of 5 from Keswick, Ontario, who lost her husband to cancer in 2011. At the moment she is battling her own rare form of cancer - Herthle cell carcinoma. On September 12 Leeann will have a surgery and will need 6-8 weeks to recover, but she can't afford such a long time from work without pay.
Let's help Leeann recover from the surgery AND support her family at the same time!
Here is Leeann's story in details:
In June of 2009, with a mixed family at home including our 8 children (5 together) my husband was diagnosed with advanced stage of kidney cancer. There is no treatment for this type of cancer so many long hours were spent at Princess Margaret hospital trying new drugs to no avail.
He passed away with us by his side Jan 17th 2011.
Leaving me with twin 4 year olds, a 5 year old, 14 and 19 year old and three grown stepsons . His life insurance policy was not enough to cover our house and eventually after almost 4 years of struggling I lost the home to the bank. The kids were growing and it was appearent that I needed to take on a second job to keep my head above water.
I work 6 days a week at 2 jobs, one of which is a dental assistant that I have done for 23 years. I'm a very hard worker and have tried to play the roll of both mom and dad since 2011 and although I know my kids have some very basic food and shelter, there are no options for extras.
We do not have luxuries that others see as necessities. There is no computer in our home and I drive a vehicle in desperate need of repair. We've never taken a vacation or left Canada for that matter. But I'm thier rock and have always been able to give them what's needed.
Last October I had noticed that my weight was dramatically down ( as of now I lost 67 lbs.) and I was often very tired. I put it to the fact that I had been working almost 60 hours a week and fought my exhaustion.
In December I felt like I had a lump in my throat that would not go away. After an ultrasound it was determined I had a number of growths on my thyroid. I was sent to an E.N.T who told me there was nothing wrong with me.
After a few months of feeling constantly tired and losing even more weight, the left side of my face became numb and I was choking on my own saliva. I went to a new specialist who immediately sent me for numerous tests and finally a biopsy. The first biopsy result showed one the most rare type of cancer, Herthle cell carcinoma. It was sent for a second opinion at Princess Margaret Hospital to confirm. The second test confirmed the diagnosis and found follicular involvement. This type of cancer is only present in about 4%of all cases . It predominantly effects those over 65 years of age so it was a bit confusing for my surgeon and he requested help from some specialists familiar with this type.
During this ordeal my body has done some very strange things. I've had my period for 34 days straight. I'm freezing cold or sweating profusely in a ten minute span. I can sleep 7 hours and an hour after I'm awake be so physically exausted . Everything aches .My neck and throat are constantly in a state of pain.
Some further tests (ultrasound led biopsy) showed a new tumor that was not there on the previous scan
This concluded that it was in fact multiplying.
I will be going for surgery on Sept 12th. At which time I will have my thyroid, all 4 parathyroid glands and 3 lymph nodes from my neck removed.
I will then be placed on chemotherapy.
I have been able to secure one week off of work. I will use my vacation pay to cover this time off (which normally is used for my children at christmas) It has been recommended for healing purposes to remain off work for at least 6-8 weeks however that is financially impossible.
I appreciate any help you are able to assist me with.
And some prayers please!
Leeann Lake
Organizer
Darya Rakitine
Organizer
Thornhill, ON
