Shirley’s Story

Thanks to generous donors, Manitobans will have access to life saving care closer to home.

elderly lady sitting on a balcony with her small white and brown spotted dog in her lap.

In the spring of 2022 Shirley and her husband Wayne spent nearly two months in Toronto where she went through CAR T-cell therapy – a treatment that saved her life.

Thanks to donors’ unwavering support of local research, patients like Shirley will no longer need to travel out of province to receive this critical care in the future.

One of the many donor-funded research projects being worked on at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba is CAR T-cell therapy. This therapy reprograms a patient’s immune cells to target and attack cancer cells throughout the body.

Shirley’s journey with cancer first began in 2008 when she was diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma. Thankfully, she responded well to chemotherapy and went into remission. Eleven years later however, her cancer returned and chemotherapy treatments no longer worked. Shirley experienced life-threatening complications and required a stem cell transplant. Doctors told her that should her cancer ever return, she would likely have limited treatment options.

Last spring Shirley and Wayne were understandably devastated when they learned her cancer had returned yet again. However, they were thankful to learn that CAR T-cell therapy was available. Unfortunately, it meant enduring the difficulty of travelling away from their home and their family.

“While I was so grateful there was a treatment available, it was very stressful to be away from home,” said Shirley. “We weren’t familiar with the city and we knew no one. Had my treatment been in Manitoba, we would have had a community of support from friends and family.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Dr. David Szwajcer and his colleagues at CancerCare Manitoba have been diligently working over the last five years to lay the foundation for a comprehensive CAR-T program that will meet the needs of Manitobans now and into the future.

A young, elderly lady posing for a photograph with family and friends in a backyard with tropical plants and trees.

Donors’ investment coupled with the doctors’ hard work resulted in an exciting announcement in January 2023, when CancerCare Manitoba announced provincial funding for this program. As a result, eligible patients with blood cancers will soon be able to receive their treatment in Winnipeg. The development of this program would not have been possible without your support.

Shirley’s CAR T-cell therapy was successful and today she is cancer free.

For the first time in many years, Shirley and Wayne were able to get back to the travelling they love, spending much of the winter in Arizona and road tripping throughout Manitoba in the summer. They have a large family and love spending time with their kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

“We don’t know how much longer our lives are going to be. So, we are pushing ourselves to live to the fullest and enjoy our time together.”

David’s Story

Donors’ support has given David more tomorrows with his loved ones.

A middle-aged couple, posing for a photograph in a park setting with lush greenery and a pond.

Thanks to ongoing donor support, CancerCare Manitoba’s patients are able to participate in donor-funded clinical trials.

These trials provide some of the latest treatment options that wouldn’t otherwise be available. Manitobans like David are benefitting from this tremendous generosity.

David has been living with prostate cancer since 2009.

While his journey has included a variety of different treatments, it was his recent involvement in a clinical trial that has given him more years with his wife, children and young grandchildren when there were no remaining treatment options available.

Learning about the history of prostate cancer in his family led David to be proactive with his own health. His father passed away from the disease at the age of 67, a time when treatment options were very limited. Today, decades later, David is grateful that thanks to the kindness of donors, clinical trials are available to give him the best opportunity for more tomorrows with the people he loves.

“It wasn’t until many years after my father’s death that I learned he had passed away from advanced prostate cancer. I understood the risks and began seeing a urologist every year. I knew there was a high probability that I would one day be diagnosed with the same disease.”

That diagnosis came in 2009 after which he underwent surgery to have his prostate removed. While David and his medical team were hopeful the surgery would cure his cancer, nine months later tests showed that wasn’t the case.

This was just the beginning of his journey.

Over the next ten years David had radiation, hormone blocking medications and a variety of other treatments. They all worked for a while. But eventually, he ran out of options. That’s when he was referred to Dr. Joel Gingerich, director of the Clinical Trials Unit at CancerCare Manitoba.

“I was very happy to learn about the clinical trial at a time when my wife and I were feeling quite hopeless,” said David.

The large international study was looking at a new class of drugs. Drugs that inhibit the growth of cancer cells specific to prostate cancer. Fortunately for David, tests confirmed he had the right tumour markers to qualify for this donor-funded trial.

David, a middle-aged man, looking at camera, smiling, while leaning against a concrete wall with lush greenery filling the background.

David was on the clinical trial for four years, during which he lived his life to the fullest. He retired and his two grandchildren were born. With almost no side effects, he felt like every day was normal.

“Those years wouldn’t have been there otherwise. They were four good years that were well-lived. I’m so grateful.”

Today, David continues with additional treatments to control his prostate cancer and is grateful this hasn’t stopped him from enjoying life. He spends a lot of time with family, celebrating every special occasion together.

Thanks to your investment into clinical trials, CancerCare Manitoba has changed the way they approach treatment plans for Manitobans with prostate cancer. Now, patients are screened shortly after diagnosis to determine if they’re eligible to receive a similar medication.

Marvin’s Story

Marvin’s life changed dramatically just a few short months ago.

He has a history of cancer in his family and was experiencing some mild symptoms, so he was wise to approach his doctor for routine testing. What he would be told would be life altering – Marvin had a particularly aggressive form of prostate cancer.

“When I heard I had cancer, I was very upset,” said Marvin. “Though I knew it was a possibility, it still somehow came as a surprise to me and my family.”

Donors’ past support helped fund a clinical trial that is helping Marvin.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, many Manitobans diagnosed with cancer like Marvin have benefited from participating in clinical trials, which are essential to improving patient outcomes.

Thanks to people just like you, the clinical trials unit at CancerCare is able to fulfill its mandate of providing tomorrow’s treatments today to eligible Manitobans.

In Marvin’s case, he is currently enrolled in a trial that aims to ease the severe side effects he is experiencing as a result of his treatment.

As you are reading this, Marvin is undergoing radiation therapy.

Marvin’s treatment plan includes painful injections to reduce his testosterone production. The side effects can be intense, including fatigue, nausea and frequent hot flashes. Once he has completed his prescribed 28 rounds of radiation, Marvin will likely need to continue with these injections for up to two full years.

Continued investment in research and clinical trials is required.

Marvin’s prostate cancer is aggressive, and treatment response is uncertain, as is recurrence in the future. If Marvin’s cancer does not respond to treatment or it does recur in the future, it will be critical that new treatment options are available. The only way this will be possible is for ongoing donor-funded research and clinical trials to continue.

Donors who give monthly in support of Manitobans with cancer like Marvin are ‘Champions of Discovery’ whose gifts are directed to support this vital research. Will you consider joining this important group of loyal and compassionate donors?

Staying positive in light of his diagnosis can be difficult.

As you’d expect, the fear of recurrence due to the aggressive nature of his cancer is something that weighs heavily on Marvin’s mind.

“There’s an emotional toll to having cancer,” says Marvin. “There are times when I feel really sad and worried. It doesn’t happen that often, and I try to stay positive, but it’s not easy.”

Focusing on physical activity and eating well is helping Marvin stay focused on remaining strong both mentally and physically throughout his treatment.

Marvin also loves playing the violin, which helps him stay positive. He hopes to be able to resume playing after his treatment is done.

Your gift today will have an impact on Marvin and others who are relying on research.

Your donation will help ensure that Manitobans like Marvin continue to have access to leading-edge treatment options, including clinical trials, so they can share in more tomorrows with their loved ones.

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

Thanks to your dedication, Ted celebrated five years cancer-free in January

Thanks to years of donor-funded cancer research, when Ted was diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer his doctors knew just what to do.

Five years ago, after a routine dental appointment, Ted received the frightening news that he had cancer. His dentist had noticed a growth on the underside of Ted’s tongue, prompting him to recommend that Ted follow up with his doctor. After many appointments with different specialists, a biopsy determined that the growth was cancerous, and Ted was diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer.

Ted appreciated the quick and unified response from his medical team. “My entire experience was seamless; it was an interdisciplinary response. From beginning to end I saw their commitment to patient experience.”

The first step in his treatment plan would be surgery. “When I met with my doctor and he outlined what the surgery entailed, I became very concerned.”

In order to save his life, up to a third of Ted’s tongue would be removed.

Such a surgery would likely impact Ted’s speech for the rest of his life. As a superintendent at the Pembina Trails school division, public speaking was a vital part of Ted’s job.

So many thoughts were rushing through his head – would he be able to speak afterwards or have to learn all over again? What would board meetings, speaking with students, parents and teachers look like, even after a ‘successful’ surgery?

“Speaking was such an integral part of my work and my life. I was very concerned,” said Ted. When I asked my doctor what was going to happen, he wisely responded: “let’s worry about living first and speaking second.”

Thanks to the investment of donors like you, Ted was under excellent care and the surgery was a success. In fact, the surgery had been so precise that all of the cancerous cells were removed without permanently affecting his speech. For this, Ted is eternally grateful.

Today, after a successful return to work, Ted is enjoying his retirement and is committed to paying it forward. Since 2020 Ted has been a participant in the Foundation’s annual Challenge for Life fundraising event, doing what he can to ensure others like him continue to receive the very best care, right here in Manitoba.

Your commitment gave Allan access to an innovative new treatment

Newly introduced single fraction radiation therapy treatments have given Allan more tomorrows to live his life to the fullest.

Allan, a spry gentleman in his 80s has a physical twice a year to ensure he is in his best health. Following one of these physicals, Allan’s primary care physician discovered a spot on his lung. In July of 2021, the spot was confirmed to be a tumour. “My doctor told me I had cancer. What a terrible word,” said Allan. “He laid out my treatment plan: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.”

Allan had recently experienced the highs and lows of a cancer journey while his wife was being treated for lung cancer just a couple of years prior to his own diagnosis. Allan mentally prepared himself for a similar treatment regime – many rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. “I drove her to CancerCare every day for 30 days to get her radiation treatment.”

Allan with his oncologist, Dr. Bashir.

Thanks to your support of local research, Allan qualified to receive a new form of radiation therapy that effectively treated his cancer in just two appointments. “I had just one zap of radiation and then I was done. I couldn’t believe it! I had never heard of that before.”

The pandemic challenged CancerCare Manitoba to establish new ways of delivering radiation therapy while protecting patients from increased risk due to COVID-19. This, and the success of other donor supported lung cancer treatments, led to the development and use of single fraction radiation therapy. The treatment offers some patients the opportunity to reduce their in-person visits and requires only two appointments. Allan was one of the first patients in Manitoba to receive this innovative new treatment which has now become the standard of care for eligible lung cancer patients in our province.

Allan was amazed after his second appointment when he was told he didn’t need to come back. “My doctor was absolutely incredible. To be one of the first facilities in Canada to offer this type of treatment is just amazing. It’s amazing that donors played a role in making this possible.”

Allan is now in remission. His last three scans have shown the treatment was successful and his tumour is no longer visible. Allan spends his days walking his dog, playing golf and travelling. “Every day is a bonus.”

Your commitment to advancing cancer care helps ensure that more discoveries and better ways to treat patients are just around the corner. Your support helps improve patient experiences for your loved ones, friends and neighbours, and all Manitobans affected by cancer.

Your support of cancer prevention and screening will change lives.

Thanks to the generosity of people just like you, Manitobans have access to a variety of cancer screening and educational programs critical to early detection and important to the successful treatment of many cancers.

These educational campaigns have helped many Manitobans become more aware of the ease and importance of self-screening. Lorraine is one of those Manitobans and she hopes by sharing her personal story you will be inspired to consider a gift today to ensure prevention and screening initiatives remain available to Manitobans across our province.

On her 50th birthday Lorraine made an agreement with her best friend that they would do breast self-checks
every full moon – 13 times per year on top of the recommended mammogram every two years. It was this commitment to her friend and to her own health that led Lorraine to notice something wasn’t right.

During one of Lorraine’s regular ‘full moon’ checks in the fall of 2021 she noticed a lump. It was a discovery that would save her life.

“When I found the lump, I just knew. Because I had been checking regularly I noticed the difference immediately. If I hadn’t stayed committed to regular checks, I might not have noticed it.”

As a result of this regular self-examination Lorraine was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Over the next year Lorraine underwent an extensive treatment plan that took a toll on her physical and mental health: 20 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, and three weeks of radiation therapy.

Over the course of this challenging year Lorraine developed a personal connection with her CancerCare Manitoba team as they guided her through her treatments. “Going there for my appointments, I felt so cared for and never alone. After my treatments stopped, I found it hard because I was so used to going there every day.”

Lorraine is now cancer free and while she is extremely grateful, she has had some difficulty trying to process the fact that one day she had cancer – and the next day she didn’t. Thanks to donors, Manitobans like Lorraine can access support programs to help them move forward after their cancer.

It was through CancerCare Manitoba’s donor-funded patient and family resources team that Lorraine was put in touch with an Indigenous elder, something she is extremely thankful for. Lorraine was able to reconnect to her inner self, continue building meaningful connections with the Indigenous community, rekindle her purpose in life and heal both mentally and physically.

The fear of her cancer returning is very real.

Triple negative cancers have a high chance of recurrence, though it is something Lorraine tries hard not to focus on. Instead, today she is focused on living well and appreciating everything she has in life.

“Cancer has changed my outlook on life. You have to live in the moment. Staying positive is so important to healing, recovery and moving forward after cancer.”

Lorraine’s story demonstrates how screening initiatives, including self-screening, are vital when it comes early-detection and ultimately saving the lives of Manitobans.

Support cancer screening and prevention initiatives today.

Your generosity will help others potentially detect their cancers early, giving them the best chance at successful treatment.

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

Your support leads to healing

Tammy wakes up every morning feeling incredibly grateful. As a breast cancer survivor, she understands the fear of dying and the terrifying possibility of not getting to spend all the time she had hoped and dreamed of with her loved ones. Today, thanks to donor investment in cancer care, she is cancer free and leading a beautiful and full life.

Tammy’s journey with cancer began in 2014 when she was just 44 years old and a lump on her shoulder prompted her to make an appointment with her doctor. A physically active and overall healthy person, with no history of cancer in her family, Tammy, her husband, and their two teenage children were shocked and devastated when she received a breast cancer diagnosis. It felt like life had stopped.

The treatment she underwent for the next year was extremely difficult both physically and emotionally – surgery, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy and 35 rounds of radiation. She reports that the care she received from her oncology team at CancerCare Manitoba was exceptional in every way. However, it was CCMB’s emotional support programs, available thanks to the generosity of donors like you, she feels played just as significant a role in her overall healing and survival.

“When I was diagnosed, we sat down as a family and decided we would go through this journey together and we would take advantage of every support program offered to help us get through and heal once it was over,” Tammy said.

They took counselling sessions, she participated in many wellness classes and joined a support group for young women with breast cancer. It’s because of these donor-funded support networks that Tammy was able to face her post-cancer life with positivity and intentional gratitude.

It’s thanks to the selfless commitment of donors that support programs are available, not just to Manitobans on a cancer journey, but also for their loved ones.

Today, Tammy is dedicated to giving back to other women affected by cancer through mentorship, advocacy, sharing her story, and leading the Chemo Savvy dragon boat team – a group of nearly 100 breast cancer survivors committed to supporting each other and leading healthy lifestyles.

“If I hadn’t taken part in the emotional support programs offered thanks to donor support, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’d still be dealing with the trauma of my cancer diagnosis and not living my life to the fullest.”

Donors are making new treatments available to Manitobans

It was in the fall of 2014 that the Schultz family’s world was turned upside down. Shelley was experiencing what she thought was a migraine. This was not unusual for her as she had suffered from them for years. But this time it was persistent and her family was concerned.

After a few very stressful days that entailed multiple hospital visits, her husband Al brought her to the Health Sciences Centre. Upon arrival it was quickly determined that the cause of Shelley’s migraine was from a tumour at the base of her brain. She needed surgery immediately to save her life.

“I was at work when I noticed my dad had called and left a voicemail,” said Shelley’s daughter Kari. “It was extremely rare for my dad to call me at work. I could hear in my father’s voice how upset he was. I listened in shock as he told me that my mom was in the hospital about to receive life-saving surgery.”

a middle-aged woman with brown hair walking her young granddaughter in a park setting on a gravel pathway.

It wasn’t long after her surgery that Shelley was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to the base of her brain. The Schultz family received the news that Shelley had a projected life span of three to six months. They were devastated but didn’t give up hope.

After undergoing donor funded genetic testing, it was determined that Shelley had a gene mutation contributing to the growth of her cancer. This made her eligible to receive a recently approved therapy and later join a clinical trial at CancerCare Manitoba. Access to clinical trials is essential so that Manitoban’s like Shelley are able to receive the very latest cancer therapies available.

“It was really exciting to hear that there was a treatment that could potentially work for my mom,” said Kari. “It gave us some hope for the future.”

Shelley started on the targeted therapy immediately and after a couple of months, the doctors were happy to see the tumours on her brain and lungs were no longer growing.

Today, nearly eight years after the overwhelming prognosis of three to six months, Shelley is on an updated version of her targeted therapy that is even more effective in fighting her cancer with even fewer side effects. Her tumours have shrunk or remain stable and the time between scans has increased.

Today Shelley is living her life to the fullest. She exercises daily, eats well and spends a lot of time with her five-year-old granddaughter Londyn. All of these things bring her joy and keep her feeling optimistic about the future.

Thanks to donor support, Shelley has more tomorrows with her family. The entire Schultz family is grateful for their commitment to advancing research and clinical trials at CancerCare Manitoba.

Your Support Provides New Treatments for Manitoba’s Youngest Patients with Cancer

Everything known about how to cure children with cancer has been learned from decades of research. Donor supported pediatric clinical research at CancerCare Manitoba provides access to state-of-the-art treatment for children with cancer. Children like Alyvia.

At the tender age of two, Alyvia was diagnosed with an aggressive, inoperable brain tumour after her parents noticed a regression in her gross motor skills.

Over a period of just a couple of months, Alyvia went from being a very active toddler to being unsteady and holding onto walls as she walked. They knew something wasn’t right with their little girl.

What followed was a four-month hospital stay that included multiple surgeries to attempt to relieve the pressure on her brain followed by six weeks of chemotherapy to try and shrink her tumour. Alyvia’s parents learned the devasting news that the chemotherapy she was enduring wasn’t working and that they were quickly running out of time.

Donor investments in research gave Alyvia access to a life-saving clinical trial.

Alyvia’s oncology team at CancerCare Manitoba secured a new targeted therapy treatment for her through a clinical trial available for pediatric patients with her particular type of cancer that was currently in the clinical trial stages. She was able to begin treatment at a critical time in her cancer journey. After only a week of receiving treatment, Alyvia had improved so significantly that she was able to be released from the hospital.

While at home, Alyvia continued with her treatment and made significant progress. As her tumour began to shrink, she had to relearn many of the things she knew how to do before her diagnosis such as eating and learning to walk again. Through ongoing physical and occupational therapy, hard work and a lot of determination, Alyvia is flourishing today.

Now five years old, she continues with daily treatment and her tumour has almost vanished thanks to your generous support. She’s taking hip-hop dance classes and loves running around outside with her friends. Her parents lovingly describe her as an entertainer who loves telling jokes and being the center of attention.

“We never would have believed this was possible.”

While she is too young to understand the impact your donations have had, her parents are forever grateful for the opportunity they’ve been given to access life-saving treatments for their daughter.

Thanks solely to the support of donors like you and her CancerCare Manitoba oncology team, pediatric
clinical trials are making a difference for Alyvia and other Manitoban children affected by cancer.