Kingston’s Story

Our names are Nick and Dina and a little over a year ago, we received the most devastating news of our lives when our
11-year-old son Kingston was diagnosed with cancer. In an instant, our joyful, active boy was thrust into a fight for his life.

Donors’ generosity has improved Kingston’s chances for survival.

Thanks to generous donors like you, our son has access to the latest treatments to help him fight this terrible disease. Donor-funded discoveries and clinical trials have paved the way for families like ours to receive leading-edge care, right here in Manitoba. Still, we have a long way to go before Kingston will be considered cancer-free. And before we can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

We are sharing Kingston’s story with you today in hopes that it will inspire you to support Manitobans with cancer this holiday season.

Kingston’s diagnosis came out of nowhere. He was an energetic young boy. And then, quite suddenly, he wasn’t. In the span of a week he went from playing soccer with friends to being tired and weak. His deteriorating health quickly led us to the emergency room.

Within hours of arriving at the hospital, Kingston was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

We were taken to the intensive care unit where Kingston would spend the next 10 days. Doctors discovered a 14-inch mass on the left side of his chest that left him struggling to breathe. This was the beginning of the fight for his life.

“It was heart-breaking to see him in a hospital bed, hooked up to so many machines.”

Kingston began chemotherapy that very night. For the next month he remained in hospital.

The fevers, exhaustion and nausea he experienced were extreme. He received chemotherapy multiple times a week. He endured painful lumbar punctures and regular doses of steroids.

We never left his side. And we never gave up hope — just as Kingston never stopped fighting.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Kingston was able to return home from the hospital.

Continued chemotherapy meant our lives remained unpredictable. The side effects were awful. Sometimes he couldn’t leave his room or eat for days. We’ve had too many hospital stays to count. Sometimes they were three days, four days, even 10 days long. We lost track of how many emergency room visits we made because his fever spiked dangerously. It was overwhelming.

“We had no idea, until Kingston’s illness, how much we would come to rely on the generosity of others to keep our son alive.”

By donating today, your gift will help discover new ways to treat blood cancers like the leukemia affecting our son. Without ongoing donor support, there is no guarantee discoveries will continue to be made and treatments will continue to advance. What would we do then? We can’t bear the thought.

We hope you will consider making a gift today to ensure children like Kingston continue to receive the leading-edge care they need.

Recently, Kingston completed the most intense part of his treatment, but his immune system was ravaged. His blood counts dropped so low that we had to wait for them to rise before he could move forward with the next phase of chemotherapy.

At the end of the summer, we learned he was strong enough to begin the next stage of his treatment.

This would entail a series of daily medications that would continue to combat the cancer cells in his body.

While it’s still very difficult, this is the first time our family has felt anything close to our ‘normal’ life in over a year. After months of isolation from family and friends due to Kingston’s compromised immune system, we are now able to spend time with loved ones again.

I’m sure you can imagine the relief we feel.

Research is the cure for cancer.

Gifts from monthly donors help fund local cancer research. Vital research that may discover a new treatment for leukemias or other cancers. We hope you will consider joining this loyal group of donors with a monthly gift, knowing your partnership may enable important discoveries.

There is still a long road ahead until Kingston completes his treatment in February 2026.

We are grateful to donors like you for advancing cancer care in Manitoba.

Kingston is not out of the woods yet, and every step of the way brings new challenges. This is why it is so important to have your support.

Kingston’s resilience and determination motivates us to stay strong. For now, we are taking things day by day and trying to keep laughter in our home.

You give us hope.

Your gift this holiday season ensures that Manitoba kids like our son Kingston have the best chance to beat their cancer. You enable innovative treatments and enhanced patient care.

Your donation will once again make a difference for so many families like ours.

Our deepest gratitude,

Nick and Dina

Sandra’s Story

In 2017, Sandra was given one year to live. Today, seven years later she is travelling the world and living a full life thanks to the support of donors like you.

In the early fall of 2016, Sandra’s doctor referred her for a scan which showed spots on her lungs. Specialists reviewing her scans believed the suspected tumours were cancer, but Sandra would require surgery to confirm the diagnosis. In February of 2017, the surgery was completed, and pathology results later confirmed she had stage 3 lung cancer.

“When the results came back and they told me I had cancer, I didn’t believe it,” said Sandra. “It was really hard news to take in.” Sandra was told that even with treatment, she likely only had one year to live. She began chemotherapy but unfortunately had a negative reaction and had to stop.

Thanks to donor support of local cancer research, Sandra’s doctor was able to identify a different treatment option that would use her body’s natural immune system to specifically target the cancer cells in her body.

Sandra began immunotherapy, and for the next two years made the most of the time between treatments and scans by travelling the world. “Travelling is my way of looking forward. Now when I go in for my appointments, people don’t ask me how I am or how I’m feeling, they ask where I’ve been and where I’m going.”

In the fall of 2019, Sandra was able to take a break from treatment and for the following three years, the cancer remained stable.

Then in 2023, one of her scans showed the development of new tumours on her lungs. Sandra qualified for a new type of radiation therapy developed thanks to years of donor-funded research in Manitoba.

The treatment offers qualified patients the opportunity to reduce their in-person visits and requires minimal targeted radiation appointments.

She required a second radiation treatment last March and today, thanks to donors’ support, Sandra is doing well and her cancer is stable. She continues with regular appointments and scans and spends a lot of her time doing what she loves – travelling.

Sandra has seen the progress and experienced the life-changing impact of donor-funded research at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba. Thanks to donor support more Manitobans like Sandra are living well with cancer. “Knowing I was only given a year or so to live, and here I am today…it’s pretty amazing that research can do this,” said Sandra.

Brenda’s Story

Like so many Manitobans, Brenda’s family has been deeply impacted by cancer. Their lives were changed forever when two of her sisters passed away from cancer within a short period of time. Today, 16 years later, Brenda herself is living with cancer and making the most of every day surrounded by the people she loves.

Brenda is thankful to donors like you, who support research at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba and the options your generosity has provided for her own cancer treatment.

“When my sisters were sick, immunotherapy wasn’t an option for them. And today, it’s saving my life.”

Prior to her diagnosis, Brenda was focused on living a healthy lifestyle and intentionally trying to reduce her own risk of developing cancer. She maintained a healthy diet and walked daily with her husband Frank.

In the fall of 2021, following an MRI, she was surprised to learn that there was a tumour on her lung.

“I was completely caught off guard and in shock,” said Brenda. “At the time, both of my daughters were pregnant, and I was determined to get well and meet my grandchildren.”

Following radiation, Brenda learned that she qualified for an immunotherapy treatment that would train her immune system to attack the cancer cells in her body.

It’s through donors’ continued support of cancer research that Manitobans like Brenda have access to new treatments and therapies that can give them more time with the people they love.

The therapy was successful and today, Brenda’s cancer is stable.

Throughout her journey, Brenda’s family has always been her inspiration to keep going, stay healthy and not give up.

“My family has been so deeply impacted by this horrible disease to which we have lost far too many. They have provided me with the strength and encouragement to fight. I am so thankful and appreciative to all the people who invest in programs and local research at CancerCare Manitoba, they are giving me hope for the future.”

World Cancer Research Day

Your support this World Cancer Research Day gives Chantal hope for the future.

It was the fall of 2020 when Chantal was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to her liver. An all-around positive person, she made it through a challenging two years of chemotherapy thanks to the support of her family – and generous donors like you.

While the initial treatment was successful, Chantal’s cancer was only stable for one year.

In May 2023, after experiencing intense pain in her neck, scans revealed the cancer had progressed to her spine and several other areas of her body. She was quickly able to start radiation and while it gave her relief from the pain, she would need a more aggressive form of treatment to save her life.

Donors’ past support of research helped Chantal’s care team at CancerCare Manitoba identify a novel treatment that would specifically target the cancer cells in her body while minimizing the side effects.

“I understand so much more now about how critical research is to creating opportunities for people like me to access new treatments when there are no other options,” said Chantal.

Today, Chantal tries to live every day to the fullest as she continues with treatment. Her three children are her guiding light and inspiration to keep moving forward. She is hopeful that with your continued investment in research, new treatments will be available for her when she needs them the most.

Please consider making a donation this World Cancer Research Day to ensure a reliable supply of liquid nitrogen is available to help make important discoveries for Chantal, her family and other Manitobans like them.

Neil’s Story

Early detection of cancers can help tremendously, giving patients the best chance for a positive outcome. Cancers that remain undetected can result in a lower chance of survival and greater complications associated with treatment. Donors’ generous support ensures Manitobans are aware of important screening programs that can lead to earlier detection and ultimately to better patient outcomes.

For Neil, getting screened resulted in early detection and successful treatment of his colon cancer. With a known history of cancer in the family, Neil’s mother urged him to get checked for colon cancer when he was just 31 years old. Her own experience of having been diagnosed with cancer in early adulthood prompted her to encourage her family members to be proactive with cancer screening.

“I went to make my mom happy… she was very persistent! I’m so glad that I did. It saved my life.” – Neil

Despite having no symptoms, Neil was diagnosed with colon cancer and scheduled for surgery the next week. Catching the cancer early meant his prognosis was favourable and for the next five years, he was cancer-free.

Donor investment into programs at CancerCare Manitoba that are critical to the early detection and successful treatment of many cancers give Manitobans like Neil and his mother hope for better outcomes and more tomorrows together.

In 2004 Neil was in Afghanistan as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, but within weeks of his deployment he became unwell. Blood tests revealed concerns for blood cancer, and he was urgently flown back to Winnipeg and taken directly to the hospital.

Within days Neil was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He responded well to an aggressive treatment plan and after completing many rounds of chemotherapy, the leukemia was in remission.

Neil and several of his family members have Lynch Syndrome, an inherited condition that results in an increased risk of developing cancer at a young age, often before age 50.

Neil and his family are grateful that donor support ensures Manitobans with Lynch Syndrome and other genetic conditions have co-ordinated and timely access to screening tests and personalized recommendations for cancer prevention.

For the next 10 years, Neil enjoyed a cancer-free life with his family and friends.

He continued to work full time in the military and travelled extensively. He remained physically active and was regularly screened for cancer – initially every year, then every three years. In 2014 however, he was diagnosed with colon cancer yet again. Neil required another surgery, which was thankfully successful, and today he is living a full life, once again cancer-free.

“I am now checked annually to ensure I continue to be free of cancer.” – Neil

Neil is grateful to donors for their continued support of screening education programs.

Neil has passed the importance of screening on to his sons and other family members who also get checked regularly. Neil is looking forward to retiring in the next few years and spending more time with the people he loves. He shares his experiences with cancer openly to help others understand the importance of knowing their personal risk factors and getting checked.

Alyson’s Story

"Living with lung cancer is a roller coaster of hope, anxiety and (sometimes) relief.”

These are the words of 66-year-old Alyson who over the last decade has experienced the highs and lows of a difficult cancer journey.

Today, Alyson is living with stage 4 lung cancer that has metastasized to her brain. And she will never be cured.

However, thanks to the past support of donors, genetic testing enabled Alyson’s medical team to identify a daily anti-cancer medication that specifically targets the cancer cells in her body. As a result, Alyson’s cancer is currently stable and she has a better chance at a longer life with her partner, children and grandchildren.

When Alyson was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in 2014 her life changed forever.

After chemotherapy and radiation failed to shrink the tumours, she had to undergo surgery to remove a portion of her lung. Fortunately, Alyson’s surgery was a success.

For three years Alyson was cancer free.

“It was great. Life was wonderful and I was so grateful.”

In 2018 Alyson had blurred vision and began bumping into things. An urgent MRI revealed the cancer had returned.

This time, the tumours were on her brain. And it was inoperable.

“The news came just three weeks before my 60th birthday celebration. I was in shock.”

Alyson underwent a series of radiation treatments on her entire brain despite the dreaded side effects. She wanted more tomorrows with her loved ones and was willing to do whatever it took.

Manitobans’ generous investment in local research has enabled access to advanced genetic sequencing tests. Tests which led to highly targeted daily medication that’s keeping Alyson’s cancer stable.

Alyson knows that one day, the cancer will start to resist the medication and begin to advance.

When that day comes, she is hopeful that thanks to the investment in cancer research by people just like you, a new treatment may be available.

By signing up as a monthly donor today, your gifts will be invested in research at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba and will give Alyson hope for more tomorrows with her loved ones.

A cryostat is an essential piece of equipment which allows researchers to examine patients’ tissue samples with a high level of detail. Understanding these samples helps identify treatments based on the unique molecular make up of an individual’s cancer cells.

Your support today will allow for the purchase of a new and upgraded cryostat.

Your contribution toward this vital new equipment is an investment in those you love – and an investment in Alyson’s future. It is thanks to generous people like you that CancerCare Manitoba’s research program can bring innovative treatments to Manitobans. Treatments that save lives.

Alyson is grateful to donors like you.

She is also grateful to the talented team of caregivers at CancerCare Manitoba who have helped her on her cancer journey. Today, she continues with regular scans and blood work to monitor the effectiveness of her treatment.

While her fear of the cancer spreading is very real, Alyson tries to stay positive through physical activity and spending time with loved ones. She also believes in the power of the research you help fund. In what it can do for her – and for so many Manitobans experiencing cancer.

Your gift matters.

Your investment today in a new and upgraded cryostat will help ensure that Manitobans like Alyson continue to have hope for more tomorrows with their loved ones.

Whether you make a one-time gift today or sign up as a monthly donor, you will make a real difference in the lives of Manitobans with cancer.

Bjorn’s Story

Bjorn is grateful for your support and the difference it has made in his life.

Thanks to donors’ incredible commitment to ensuring Manitobans with cancer have access to leading-edge care, Bjorn is living his best life surrounded and supported by the people he cares about most. This is something he does not take for granted given he has been diagnosed with cancer three times and undergone three life-saving surgeries in the last three years.

When he was just 27-years-old, Bjorn received the difficult news that he had testicular cancer. As a young, healthy, physically active person, the diagnosis was understandably surprising. Fortunately, Bjorn had been proactive with his health and went to see his doctor as soon as he suspected something was wrong.

Following scans and bloodwork, Bjorn was given a cancer diagnosis.

“That was on a Friday afternoon and less than a week later, I underwent surgery.” Bjorn is grateful for the quick action by

his oncology team at CancerCare Manitoba. “They always have a plan and that’s reassuring to me,” he said. After recovering from surgery, he was able to get back to doing things he loves – spending time with friends and family, exercising and returning to work as an accountant.
It was just nine months later following a routine scan that Bjorn’s oncologist detected cancer again. This time in the lymph nodes in his abdomen. Bjorn required complex abdominal surgery to remove the cancerous cells and hopefully prevent a future recurrence. Following surgery, in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bjorn remained in hospital. Not being able to see his family was challenging and lonely. For the next couple of months, he allowed himself to enjoy the ‘down time’ to take care of his physical and mental health as he recovered.
Unfortunately, that was not Bjorn’s last surgery.
In January 2023 it was determined he would need a third surgery after a cancerous spot was found on one of his lungs.
Thanks to donor-funded advancements in cancer care, the procedure would be non-invasive and would directly target the cancerous cells, while preserving the remainder of his lungs. For this, Bjorn is extremely grateful to Manitobans like you who support cancer research.
Today, Bjorn is feeling positive about the future. In March of last year, two months after surgery and a day after his 30^th birthday he received the positive news there were no areas of concern on his scans. While he is still being closely monitored

by his care team at CancerCare Manitoba, the time between scans and appointments has grown. And overall, he’s feeling great.
Bjorn is committed to living a physically active lifestyle which he feels benefits his mental health as well. He plays a number of team sports and loves riding his bike.
This June, Bjorn will once again be walking in Challenge for Life as the co-captain of the Canada Life team. “I’ve participated in this event for many years, but since my diagnosis, it’s become closer to my heart, and more meaningful. I feel really supported by my friends and family who walk with me and donate to support a great cause.”

Become a monthly donor

Make a one-time gift

Sylvia’s Story

You have been there for Sylvia, time and time again.

“I have stage four cancer but I’m still here,” says 80-year-old Sylvia who has been living with non-Hodgkin lymphoma since the year 2000. Thanks to donors’ investment in local cancer research, today Sylvia is thriving.
With her husband Gord by her side, Sylvia has been coming to CancerCare Manitoba for treatments for over 20 years. It hasn’t been an easy road. She has undergone intense chemotherapy treatments, experienced difficult side effects and allergic reactions and on more than one occasion, required blood transfusions to save her life. Still, she has remained positive and committed to living life to the fullest.

In 2019, after almost 20 years of treatment, Sylvia’s chemotherapy stopped working. Sylvia and Gord were understandably anxious to find another treatment option. They were relieved to learn that thanks to years of donor-funded research, personalized approaches to treating cancer and blood disorders had advanced significantly. Advances in genomics and precision medicine gave them a renewed sense of hope.
Thanks to donor investment in research, new molecular tests were available that could help doctors understand the genetic makeup of the cancer cells in Sylvia’s body, creating the possibility for a new treatment option.
This testing led CancerCare Manitoba’s Dr. Versha Banerji to identify a novel treatment that targets the molecular makeup of the cancer cells in Sylvia’s body. As a result, today her cancer is being successfully treated through daily medication. And thankfully, she has few side effects.
Sylvia continues with regular visits to CancerCare for blood work to ensure that the cancer is still responding to the treatment. She is thankful for the amazing care she receives. “Everyone treats us so well at CancerCare Manitoba,” said Sylvia. “They are all like family to me now.”

She and Gord are grateful for the added years they have had together, after Gord’s own successful treatment for kidney cancer two years ago. Together they enjoy golfing, going out to their favourite restaurants with friends and attending concerts.
Sylvia’s life has been full and rich and with donors committed to cancer research in her corner, the future looks incredibly bright. For that, Sylvia and Gord are eternally grateful.

Become a monthly donor

Make a one-time gift

To honour the care they have both received, Sylvia and Gord joined the More Tomorrows Legacy Circle by including CancerCare Manitoba Foundation in their will.

Click the image above to learn more about leaving a gift in your will.

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.

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.

Make a monthly gift

Make a one-time gift

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.

Make a monthly gift

Make a one-time gift

Posts navigation

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Next page