Join and fight Maria's cancer w/ us

Maria immigrated to Canada from Bulgaria about 10 years ago, with her husband Anton and their two oldest daughters, E and V, who are now 20 years old and 16 years old. They also have young twins, who just turned 7 years old this month (February 2017). She is a a mother, a hair stylist, and a wonderful, caring person, and Maria and her family need help. They need help from me, you, our friends, and our fellow Canadians, both those who were born here, and those who were welcomed here.

Maria has recently been diagnosed with cancer in her tongue, and neck. She started having pain and swelling in October, and as it progressed, she began to lose the ability to eat solid food, talk, and even had concerns raised about her being able to breath properly at times. She was recently admitted to the intensive care unit at a hospital in Calgary, and after numerous tests, scans, and images, doctors determined that modern medicine could do nothing for her except ease the pain and discomfort as best as they can. Within a matter of 4 months, Maria went from a healthy, loving, happy mother of four, to receiving a cancer diagnosis and being given a few months to live.

Anton was laid off of his job doing electrical design work, approximately 2 years ago. Since then, finding little work in his field, he's taken a position with a charter company. Maria has been forced to stop working altogether, and with no medical benefits or insurance to provide a safety net, this family has been forced into the difficult position of putting monthly bills onto credit cards and choosing between putting food on the table and paying various medical costs and monthly bills. With twin 7 year old kids still living with them, along with their 16 year old daughter, going without food is not an option, so medical needs, alternate treatment options, and monthly bills, have all had to take a back seat.

This family is looking at any possible treatment that has even the slightest chance of working. Maria is a strong woman who will never give up the fight to see her children graduate, get married, have kids, and raise a family of their own. In Canada, however, many medical costs are not covered by our public healthcare system. Most alternative treatments, such as naturopathy and medicinal cannabis, are not covered at all. Many medical devices are also not covered. Of course, mortgage, food, insurance, fuel, phone bills, utility bills, and all of the other costs of living, are also not covered under our public healthcare system.

They have been using various naturopathic medicines, including medicinal cannabis, with some positive results in some cases. All of these things cost a lot of money, and as much as they may help ease pain or even inflammation and illness, there is no coverage.

Maria, Anton, and their four children need help. This hard working family started out in Canada with little more than they could carry, and were helped then by a generous and caring nation who offered them a country to call home. Now they need our help again.

I offer my heartfelt thanks for any support you can offer, and urge you to search your heart, and give as much as you are comfortable with and can afford.

I am running this campaign as a friend of the family for years, because I know how severe and urgent this need is, but also because I know that will not ask for help themselves. They are the kind of people who will quietly sacrifice essentials so that their kids don't need to, but I am hoping they won't have to sacrifice any longer.

Thank you again for any support you can give. All money will be donated to Maria and Anton so that they can afford to pay their monthly bills, their medical bills, and any future medical costs for treatments, medications, or equipment.