Drea’s Story

Thanks to donors, Drea’s future is bright.

Three years ago, we introduced you to Drea and the story of her family’s challenging experiences after she was diagnosed with brain cancer at only five-years-old. At the time donors generously responded, providing them with hope in an uncertain time.

Although CancerCare Manitoba surgeons were successful in removing Drea’s entire tumour, this wasn’t the end of her journey. Drea had a long, grueling treatment regime including high-dosage chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. The stress on her young body from these treatments was intense and eventually the decision was made to stop the maintenance chemotherapy.

Donor generosity helps enable local research to improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs while also limiting the negative side effects.

When we first introduced Drea’s parents, Mandy and Mike, they were cautiously living moment to moment, day by day. It was hard to think ahead when their youngest daughter’s future was so uncertain.

“Drea’s illness rocked me to my core. I was in shock. I worried terribly about what the future would hold for her. If you asked me about the long-term, about university or her getting married, I couldn’t tell you,” said Mike.

Fortunately, donors were by their sides. Generous support from people like you funds research and clinical trials that have given Drea’s family more hope for the future, not just for their family, but for others going through a similar journey.

“We’re not living minute to minute anymore. Every time we visit the doctor, we feel more optimistic. There is more hope than before, and every day is different,” said Mandy.

Drea goes for an MRI every six months to ensure that her cancer hasn’t returned. It’s an anxious and scary time for her given her memories of when she was in treatment. Drea’s family is extremely grateful for CancerCare Manitoba’s family-focused approach to patient care. Drea’s siblings, Nicolas and Adriana, were given a tour of the building where treatments were carefully explained which helped ensure the entire family felt connected as they supported Drea.

Drea’s life has changed dramatically in the last few years.

Thanks to the support of donors who are ensuring the best possible care is available, Drea is thriving and living life to the fullest.

Now ten-years-old, she loves to paint her nails, make videos and play sports. She is now in Grade 5 and has been able to regularly attend school for the last two years, something that wasn’t possible when she was in treatment.

This fall Drea began playing hockey again, something she had started right before she was diagnosed with cancer.

“It has taken her a while to build her confidence again and get to the point where she believes her body can do this type of physical activity.” said Mandy. “We’re all really happy she’s making progress.”

Drea and her family are so grateful for donor support and the hope it provides.

“The nurses and staff at CCMB are amazing,” said Mandy. “So nice, so good to her, so helpful, so understanding. It didn’t matter what we needed, someone was there to help. I now have more hope for other parents who are dealing with a child with brain cancer. With caring donors and CancerCare Manitoba at your side the future is full of hope.”

Generous support from people like you funds research and clinical trials that have given Drea’s family more hope for the future, not just for their family, but for others going through a similar journey.

Brenda’s Story

Donor support helps people recover

Thanks to donor generosity, patients can get a reprieve from the mental and physical burden of cancer through donor-funded support programs available at CancerCare Manitoba.

From initial diagnosis through treatment, a person’s body and mind are pushed, stressed and tested beyond comprehension. After receiving four cancer diagnoses in five years, Brenda was emotionally and physically drained. The support programs donors help fund have been an invaluable part of her treatment.

“I never had mental health issues before cancer. I really needed the support groups. I don’t know how I would have gotten through my first diagnosis without them. Until you’re in it, you don’t know how cancer is going to affect you,” said Brenda.

Young woman in her thirties wearing a yellow jumper with a light blue collared shirt posing for a photo in a park setting by orange flowers, brown stained wooden arbour.

Brenda’s cancer journey began in 2018 when she found a lump in her breast. She was just 31-years-old and with no family history; her diagnosis was shocking. Her life derailed quickly after her diagnosis.

“My life is drastically different than what I had imagined it would be.” From chemotherapy, lumpectomy and mastectomy surgeries, to radiation and hormone therapy, Brenda says, “If it exists, I’ve had it. It’s been five years this month since it started. I haven’t had a year without cancer.”

Donor funding of crucial support services, like the groups helping Brenda, are vital to treating patients beyond their clinical care. Donor-funded support groups, art therapy, mindfulness and counselling have made a difference for Brenda and her outlook.

“Having the support of people who understand my experience with cancer has been amazing. I’ve made a lot of friends. Having people who ‘get it’ has changed everything.”

The generosity of a donor’s investment in cancer care helps address the psychological impact of the disease, including distress such as anxiety and depression for patients and their families.

Donors have given Brenda and patients like her hope for the future.

“I know people who have been living with cancer for over 20 years and I hope that’s me,” said Brenda. “I think about the research being done thanks to generous donors and hope that a wonder drug comes out that’s going to enable me to live my life long into the future.”

Living life to the fullest for Brenda means more time to paint, garden, make meals with family and dragon boat with a group of women affected by breast cancer. Brenda is thankful to people like you whose support has lessened the burden of her cancer.

Cain’s Story

“So… you think I have cancer?”

That was the question our nine-year-old son Cain asked the doctor on the worst day of our lives.

Cain is the most courageous person we know. Even in the midst of chemotherapy and painful limb-salvage surgery, he never lost his spirit or gave up hope. We are so proud of him.

Without the support of donors, Cain wouldn’t have received his life-saving surgery in Manitoba. It’s through the generosity of donors just like you that cancer surgeon Dr. David Perrin was recruited to CancerCare Manitoba. Before Dr. Perrin’s arrival all patients requiring surgery for bone cancers had to be referred out of province.

Cain received treatment closer-to-home, which has been important to his ongoing recovery. When his brother and sister were able to visit him in the hospital there was something truly magical about the healing power of kids playing together.

This benefitted all of us as a family.

As someone who cares for the welfare of others, we hope Cain’s courage inspires you to make a gift this holiday season.

Less than one year ago our lives were changed forever when Cain was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer. Before that he was a healthy, active kid who loved running around outside with his younger brother and sister. We never imagined one of our children would get a cancer diagnosis.

In the summer of 2021 Cain slipped on some rocks and banged his shin bone badly. Then, over the Christmas holidays, he began walking differently. When we looked at his leg, we saw the bruising on his shin had returned.

At the Minnedosa hospital on New Year’s Eve Cain underwent a leg x-ray, and upon seeing the results, the doctor immediately scheduled an MRI at CancerCare in Winnipeg the next day. This is when we understood that this wasn’t just a leg injury.

Our worst fears were confirmed. The MRI revealed a large tumour in Cain’s right tibia. Once we received the official osteosarcoma cancer diagnosis Cain’s battle with cancer began.

Sitting in the doctor’s office in shock, it was Cain who started courageously asking the questions we wanted to, but couldn’t…

“Will I need surgery?”, “What are the chances of my survival?” and “Will I lose my leg?”.

It was important to us that Cain consent to his treatment. We had taught him the concept of “my body, my choice,” and initially he was scared about his options, including possible leg amputation. Thankfully donors like you have funded counselling services that helped Cain understand and agree to all his treatment options.

Within a week, Cain began his chemotherapy which was so intense that he often required hospitalization. We have had too many stays at the hospital this year. He’s away from home and his siblings during these times and it’s hard for him. It’s hard for all of us.

By donating today, your gift will help researchers discover alternative ways to treat bone cancers.

By becoming a monthly donor—a Champion of Discovery—you can ensure your gifts are directed to support research. Research Cain desperately needs since his type of cancer can reoccur, though it is not something we dwell on… at least we try not to.

And if Cain’s cancer does return one day, chemotherapy may no longer be a treatment option for him because his body has had as much as it can handle. We hope you will consider joining as a Champion of Discovery this holiday season.

Throughout his journey with cancer, Cain has fortunately been distracted from the pain by building Lego and making crafts. He’ll spend hours immersed in creating homes and towns for his ‘pompom critters’. It’s truly amazing to see his imagination come to life, allowing him to temporarily forget about the treatment he’s enduring.

Even though he was only eight years old at the time, Cain required strong medication to help control the intense pain. Mid-way through his rounds of chemotherapy Cain underwent a complex operation to remove the cancerous tumour and his tibia. What followed was a grueling two-week hospital stay. And then Cain’s 16-hour second surgery to replace and reconstruct his tibia took hours longer than expected. We were scared but reassured that everything was going according to plan. That it was just taking longer than expected.

Though Cain is slowly making progress, he still has a long way to go.

Cain is no longer confined to a wheelchair and is moving around more using his walker. He can now put a little bit of weight on his right leg and even bend it to 60 degrees. He really wants to get it to 80, and given how courageous and determined he is, we know he will get there.

Cain wanted to share his story with you today in hopes it will inspire you to lend your support. And like Cain, we too hope you will consider making a year-end gift to help Manitobans affected by cancer like him.

With deep appreciation for your support,

Danica & Glen

Routine Test Leads to Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis

Carrie is a vibrant young woman in her early 30s who never imagined a routine test would result in a cancer diagnosis.

In January of 2020, Carrie had her first appointment with a new physician. Carrie’s new doctor wanted to get a good understanding of her patient and completed a full physical including a PAP test (Carrie’s first in about 3-4 years).

What happened next was unexpected.

Two weeks later, Carrie received an evening phone call from her doctor scheduling her in for the following morning. Carrie grew a little concerned as she noticed that her appointment was outside of the clinic’s operating hours. What could be so important as to warrant a next day, before-hours appointment?

After a somewhat sleepless night, Carrie arrived at her doctor’s office and promptly parked the car. As Carrie took a moment to gather her thoughts, she noticed her doctor was waiting for her at the office’s door. This was the moment Carrie realized something serious was going on. After a brief discussion about her pelvic health, Carrie received the very unexpected news that her PAP test had shown she had cancer. How could this happen? Carrie was young, healthy and had no symptoms. How could a simple test change her world so dramatically?

Weeks of tests and biopsies working with CancerCare Manitoba Gynecological Oncologists followed. It was a hard reality for Carrie because her appointments were in the same building she had been in five years earlier while her father battled kidney cancer. Carrie couldn’t believe that she was back but this time it was her facing the uncertainty of cancer.

It was determined that Carrie had Adenocarcinoma, a form of cervical cancer. Tests showed signs that Carrie’s cancer was likely Stage 1. A hysterectomy surgery was scheduled and Carrie was told that the hysterectomy should cure her cancer.

Surgery was a daunting prospect for Carrie, the pandemic meant she would have to go in and recover without the physical aid of family and friends. However, Carrie was determined to make it work. Unfortunately, the surgery revealed more concerns and Carrie’s cancer was now considered to be Stage 2B and she would begin radiation and chemotherapy treatments in four to six weeks.

Carrie started radiation and chemotherapy in the middle of June. Her last chemo treatment was completed a day after her 34th birthday and radiation a few days later. Throughout her treatment, Carrie appreciated the help of a mentor from the Breast and Gyne Centre of Hope.

On October 29, 2021, Carrie received the news that her treatment was successful, and that she was cancer-free. Today, Carrie shares her story as an opportunity to let others know how important it is to get checked regularly. She knows she might not be alive if it wasn’t for a routine test.

You Helped Their Love Story Grow

Three years ago, we introduced our generous community of donors, to Matt and Madison Bell and their inspiring love story. And they responded by providing them with hope for a future together.

Now 33, Matt has been battling skin cancer since he was 25. Together with his wife Madison, they have been through periods where no treatment options were available. Matt lived with an incurable cancer diagnosis and together they lived as happily as they could, in three-month increments between tests.

Eventually, thanks to the generosity of people like you, new drugs became available because of a successful clinical trial run right here in Manitoba.

When we first introduced Manitobans to Matt and Madison, they had recently celebrated a major milestone, their wedding. They were cautiously dreaming about adventures they would have the following summer, not really knowing what the future would bring in their journey with cancer.

Fortunately, donors like you were by their side along with CancerCare Manitoba’s dedicated oncology team. Their generous support funds research and clinical trials that have now given Matt and Madison more hope for the future than ever before.

Today, Matt is part of a targeted therapy treatment program which is working very well. It is shrinking the active cancer in his body and preventing it from growing and spreading. And, there’s no side effects, allowing Matt to live as he likes to say ‘like a normal person in their 30’s, which is pretty exciting’.

Most exciting of all is the newest addition to their family. After being told they would likely never have children due to the trauma Matt’s body has been put through, the couple was amazed to find out Madison was pregnant! Benjamin, now eight months old, is a miracle and has defied every odd to be here today.

“Having been self-employed for so long this is the first time in 10 years, I now have a boss”, laughs Matt. “Ben is in charge of both of us.” Benjamin is a strong, healthy, and joyful baby. It’s easy to see the happiness he brings to his parents’ lives. They are so grateful.

For as long as they can remember, Matt and Madison dreamed of living a normal life. Today, they are one step closer, thanks to the generosity of donors like you. Cancer has given them perspective on what’s important and they have always tried to live in the moment. Now, thanks to Matt’s newest treatment and the addition of Benjamin to their lives, they are hopeful and excited to be planning for the future.

“Ben has given us so much hope, so many reasons to live,” says Madison. “We imagine him on his first day of kindergarten or chasing him down the ski hill. We dance together in the kitchen and think about dancing at his wedding.”

“It has consistently been about newer treatments and the next options for us. Thanks to our committed care team, a collective vision for research, and the generosity of donors, we found a treatment that has renewed our hope for the future.”

Hargun’s Story

Nothing can prepare you for your child to ask: “Mommy, am I going to die?”

Our names are Shelly & Suresh and on behalf of our daughter Hargun, we’d like to thank you for making the time to read her story. She is just seven years old and has acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

We never imagined this would happen to our little girl. Hargun loved to dance, goof around, and play with her cousins before she became sick.

A little over a year ago our family’s life was turned upside down after we received this shocking diagnosis no parent is ever prepared to hear.

Before Hargun’s diagnosis, none of us understood just how important support from people like you has been in ensuring the best help was available when she needed it.

Hargun hopes her story inspires you.

Towards the end of last summer Hargun began feeling unwell. We spent the next couple of months back and forth at the doctor’s trying to figure out what was wrong.

One frightful evening she developed a blood clot in her eye, the whites of her eye unnaturally stained with red. It was terrifying for all of us to see and led us straight to the hospital.

After her blood tests, while we were still driving home from the hospital, the doctor called and told us we needed to come back right away – it was serious.

The unthinkable became our world: ‘your daughter has cancer’.

Hargun understands everything. When Dr. Chopek met us in the ER and explained she had a form of blood cancer we were in shock. That night holding onto us, Hargun asked if she would die. We had no answers for her.

Hargun began treatment immediately.

By donating today, you can support research and clinical trials to increase the chance of survival for children like Hargun.

We’ve learned clinical trials can give patients like Hargun access to the newest possible treatments. And we’ve learned how donors like you help bring clinical trials to Manitoba. Your gift just may enable new clinical trials and research that help Hargun on her cancer journey in the years to come.

After ten days of chemotherapy we were about to leave the hospital when doctors found Hargun had a fever. Things escalated quickly and within 24 hours she had become severely ill with sepsis.

Hargun needed immediate, life-saving care.

She was moved into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and put on a ventilator the next day.

Hargun spent the next five weeks in the ICU.

These were the scariest days of our lives.

At the time the doctors couldn’t tell us how long Hargun would be on the ventilator. A week, two months, six months? No one knew what lay ahead.

You can be by Hargun’s side by making a donation today.

The first three weeks were the hardest, and then finally she started to slowly improve. We will never forget seeing Hargun open her beautiful, bright eyes for the first time in weeks. Still, we knew her journey with cancer was far from over.

By the end of January Hargun was strong enough to continue her treatment from home. We hadn’t left the hospital with her since that awful night in November when she was first diagnosed and admitted.

p>After weeks of being unconscious Hargun was extremely weak. She needed help with simple tasks like sitting up, standing and walking. She sometimes doesn’t feel well, but Hargun is thankful to be alive. Just ask her, she will say “Mom, I’m thankful for living.”

Today, Hargun takes daily chemotherapy medication and has monthly visits to the hospital for intravenous medication and spinal taps. She is still working on slowly gaining her strength back.

Why does research make a difference?

The big question for Hargun has always been, “Why did I get sick?” That’s what she’s always wanted to know. She asks us all of the time. “Why?” And she really does want to know why. She has agreed to share her story because she wants to help answer the question. Your support of local research may one day answer Hargun’s question that is today unanswerable.

Through continued research more Manitobans like Hargun can be saved in the future.

Cancer changes your perspective on everything. It’s hard to imagine things ever going back to normal. It can be hard to be brave, but she inspires us to be to be strong for her.

Today we are asking you to join us in our fight against cancer. In our fight for Hargun’s life. And to help others like her. We hope you will consider making a donation this holiday season.

With sincere gratitude,
Shelly & Suresh