100 Brokers who Care

How Your Loans and Spending Habits Are Quietly Shaping Your Credit Score

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:50:54 GMT

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life — especially when it comes to getting a mortgage. But for most Canadians, how that number actually gets calculated remains a bit of a mystery.

Here's what you need to know.

What Is a Credit Score, Exactly?

A credit score in Canada ranges between 300 and 900 points. It's considered a predictor of how likely you are to pay your debt on time, and it directly affects a lender's decisions on loans, interest rates, and credit limits. The higher your score, the better.

In Canada, Equifax and TransUnion are the two primary organizations that collect data on consumer borrowing and provide credit scores to lenders. While both use similar inputs, their algorithms can differ — which is why your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau a lender checks.

Not All Loans Are Created Equal

You might assume that carrying a mortgage, a car loan, and a credit card all affect your score the same way. They don't.

Revolving credit products — like credit cards or a line of credit — can carry a higher influence on your credit score because they provide more insight into how you manage credit on a day-to-day basis. If you're regularly carrying a high balance or missing payments, that gets noticed quickly.

Instalment loans, such as auto loans, personal loans, or student loans, show your ability to manage a fixed scheduled payment. A mortgage, on the other hand, demonstrates your capacity to manage long-term balance repayment. Each type of credit tells lenders something different about your financial behaviour.

The Factors That Matter Most

Here's a breakdown of what actually moves your credit score:

1. Payment History

The biggest impact on your credit score comes from payment history — whether you're paying on time, and how long any bills have gone unpaid. Even one missed payment can leave a mark.

2. Total Amount Owed

This includes the total you owe across all creditors, how much you owe on specific types of accounts, and how much of your available credit you've used.

3. Credit Utilization

Your debt-to-credit utilization ratio — the amount you're borrowing compared to your total credit limit — matters significantly. Keeping that ratio below 30 to 40 per cent will help your score.

4. Length of Credit History

How long you've had credit products plays a role in your score calculation. This includes the age of your oldest account, your newest account, and the average age of all accounts. Closing old accounts can unintentionally lower your score.

5. Credit Inquiries

A credit inquiry for a new credit card or auto loan stays on your profile for six years. Checking your own score or getting a pre-approval doesn't affect your score — and when shopping for a mortgage, multiple inquiries are typically treated as a single event.

6. Unused Credit

Having a large amount of unused credit available can also negatively affect your score. Even if you don't owe anything on a $50,000 line of credit, a lender still has to factor in the fact that you have the capacity to take on that debt.

What This Means Before You Apply for a Mortgage

Your credit score doesn't just determine whether you're approved — it directly impacts the interest rate you're offered. A stronger score can mean thousands of dollars in savings over the life of your mortgage.

If you're planning to buy, renew, or refinance, it's worth taking a close look at your credit picture well in advance. Small changes — like paying down a credit card balance or avoiding new credit applications — can make a real difference in where your score lands when it counts.

Not sure where to start? Reach out — reviewing your financial profile before you apply is part of how we help you get the best possible outcome.

Have questions about your mortgage options? Get in touch today.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Let's Cure Lucas RECIPIENT EASTERN 1st QUARTER 2026

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:06:39 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Let's Cure Lucas - Fighting an Ultra-Rare Genetic Disease our Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2026 vote.

Thank you Rocco Mongelli for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Lucas Azevedo is a four-year-old with an ultra-rare gene variant affecting the RBM28 gene—a condition so rare that only one other child in the world has been discovered with it. This disease is currently unnamed and has no cure, but his smile and spirit inspire everyone around him.

Lucas lives with significant physical challenges. His ultra-rare gene variant affects all four of his limbs, his balance and coordination, his speech, his oral strength, and much more. His muscles are both tight and fragile, making even the simplest movements a challenge against gravity itself. Nothing happens automatically for him—every movement requires intention, strength, and support.

The RBM28 variant affects his cerebellum, the area of the brain vital for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, posture, and motor learning. While there is currently no cure, gene therapy has been developed and has proven successful in stopping progression for many ultra-rare diseases. Lucas's family is hopeful about ongoing research and potential breakthroughs.

In the meantime, Lucas works incredibly hard six days a week undergoing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, swallowing therapy, and hydrotherapy to build strength and independence. His goal is to walk independently, run, jump, and ride a bike.

Your support directly funds the therapies and care that allow Lucas to keep fighting and growing stronger. Together, we can help this remarkable little boy achieve his dreams and contribute to the research that may one day lead to a cure.

Thank you for standing with Lucas and his family in this urgent fight.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Lisse's Family Fighting for Healing and Stability RECIPIENT WESTERN 1st QUARTER 2026

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:29:15 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Lisse's Family Fighting for Healing and Stability our Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2026 vote.

Thank you Lauren Sbitney for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Lisse and her husband Zach are facing an urgent crisis after Lisse was diagnosed with aggressive MS that threatened complete paralysis. In January 2025, emergency hospitalization revealed major spinal lesions, and she was told she could lose all mobility within months. Desperate to save her life and health, they drained their life savings and fundraised to pursue a stem cell transplant in Mexico.

While the treatment has halted the disease's progression, recovery requires one to two years of intensive care and therapy. Eight months in, Lisse continues to make slow gains alongside expected setbacks. With Zach unable to work since December 2024 to care for both Lisse and their 10-month-old daughter Effie, the family is drowning in mounting debt despite living on an extremely tight budget. Their income-assistance application is still pending after six months of waiting.

They urgently need support to access therapies that could meaningfully accelerate Lisse's healing and provide their family with basic stability. Your help would ease their financial burden and allow them to focus on recovery and giving Effie the secure childhood she deserves.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Andrea Mundie RECIPIENT 3rd QUARTER 2025

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:05:09 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Andrea Mundie our Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2025 vote.

Thank you Marci Deanefor bringing this Cause to our attention.

Andrea Mundie is a devoted mother of four—Rex, Dace, Clove, and Penn—facing the fight of her life. Already living with Stage 4 cancer, she has now been diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease, a rare and aggressive complication. Her priority is simple yet profound: to spend meaningful time with her children and create lasting memories while she can.

To extend her time, Andrea has begun permanent chemotherapy. But the financial strain is overwhelming. Many of her most urgent needs are not covered by insurance. Funds raised will directly support:

Health and wellness costs to ease her treatment
Meals and home care for her children
Educational expenses to secure their futures

Despite her challenges, Andrea’s resilience shines. She celebrated her 50th birthday with loved ones, even while beginning chemotherapy. Soon after, she faced emergency surgery where her heart stopped and doctors cracked her ribs and sternum to save her life. Through it all, she has held onto positivity and humor.

A grant from 100 Brokers Who Care would ease Andrea’s burden, giving her peace of mind and the ability to focus on what matters most—her children. Your support will provide comfort, dignity, and precious moments of love and memory.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Stephanie Salamandy RECIPIENT 3rd QUARTER 2025

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 22:05:07 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Stephanie Salamandyk our Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2025 vote.

Thank you Rosa Bovino for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Stephanie Salamandyk, niece of our industry partner Kim Lentowitsch (BDM, Canada Guaranty), was diagnosed with rectal cancer in early 2024. Relentlessly advocating for her own health, she finally got answers and in May underwent emergency colostomy surgery after a tumor caused nearly 100% blockage. She began chemotherapy in July in hopes of shrinking the tumor enough to proceed with further surgeries, including a future reconnection of her colon.

Stephanie and her high school sweetheart, Jesse, have been married for 12 years and are raising three young boys—Jackson (11), Lincoln (6), and Parker (3)—along with their two dogs, Peppe and Maymay.

Active in her community, Stephanie was recently nominated as president of her local community center. Despite her strength and commitment, her illness has left the family facing financial strain. As a part-time contract worker, she does not receive EI or disability benefits. Jesse, a long-haul truck driver and the family’s primary income earner, will need to take unpaid time off to support Stephanie and care for their boys.

A grant would provide much-needed financial relief, easing the burden and allowing Stephanie to focus on healing and family during this challenging time.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Brodziak Family RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2025

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:50:48 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Brodziak Family our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2025 vote.

Thank you Crystal Mamchur for bringing this Cause to our attention.

On August 13, 2024, Ryan Brodziak’s life changed forever. While walking with his 11-month-old son, Ozzy, and their puppy, Gouda, an out-of-control vehicle struck them on the sidewalk. Ryan suffered a severe spinal cord injury, resulting in quadriplegia, while Ozzy sustained a skull fracture and a broken arm.

Six months later, Ryan remains in intensive rehabilitation after months in the ICU and multiple surgeries. His journey is uncertain, requiring daily effort to regain strength and adjust to life with a spinal cord injury. His wife, Bailey, has been his unwavering support, balancing new motherhood with being Ryan’s primary caregiver and advocate. She has put her career on hold, navigating hospital stays, rehab programs, and financial stress—all while ensuring a loving home for Ozzy.

Ryan has always given back. As the former owner of The Local Omnivore, Gravy, and Gorilla restaurants, he built community spaces and organized charity events, including an annual Bikeathon to support Edmonton’s unhoused population. He has always stepped up for others—now, he and his family need that same support.

A Brokers Who Care grant would be life-changing, helping with critical home modifications, rehabilitation costs, and mobility equipment. Just as importantly, it would provide financial relief for Bailey, allowing her to focus on their family’s well-being without overwhelming financial strain.

This isn’t just about helping one person—it’s about lifting a family who has given so much to their community.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Andrea Gibson RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2025

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:49:22 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,000 to Andrea Gibson our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2025 vote.

Thank you Katy Mackenzie for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Andrea Gibson is a Self-Compassion and Mindset Coach, Dance Educator, and Mental Health Advocate who has dedicated her life to helping others thrive. Recently, Andrea received a life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer, requiring her to undergo chemotherapy, an upcoming double mastectomy, and radiotherapy continuing into 2025. As a self-employed professional and mother of two, Andrea will be unable to work during her treatment, creating significant financial strain for her family.

Andrea’s work has empowered countless women to reconnect with themselves and live intentionally. As a leader in the dance community with over 30 years of experience, she has inspired young dancers to embrace their inner champion and develop mindset tools to navigate challenges both on and off the stage. Andrea’s authenticity, vulnerability, and humour have been instrumental in creating meaningful change in her community. Unfortunately, her cancer diagnosis temporarily halts this incredible work.

Without the ability to earn income during her treatment, Andrea faces a challenging road ahead. A $10,000 donation would help alleviate the financial burden on her family, providing critical support during this difficult time. It would allow Andrea to focus on her recovery without the added stress of lost income, ensuring she can heal and ultimately return to her mission of empowering others with the same passion and dedication she’s always shown.

Andrea has spent her life giving 1,000% of herself to her clients (including me!), her students, and her community. Now, she needs support to navigate this challenging chapter in her life. Your help will make an immediate and profound impact, providing the relief she needs as she faces cancer with courage and grace.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Daniel Natareno RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2025

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:47:08 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Daniel Natareno our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2025 vote.

Thank you Anthony contento and Michelle Campbell for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Daniel Natareno, a well-known and deeply respected figure in the mortgage industry, is currently in the fight of his life against cancer. For the past 1.5 years, he’s faced this battle with strength and grace while receiving treatment abroad—far from work, but never far from hope.

The financial toll is growing, and his family is struggling to keep up with mounting medical bills. A devoted father to Daniel Jr. (21), Damellys (20), and Allesandra (5), Daniel’s heart of gold, warm smile, and unwavering love for his children continue to shine through even the darkest days.

Your support can help ease the financial burden and bring healing, hope, and stability to a man who has given so much to others. Let’s stand with Daniel and his family in this critical time.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Christine Buemann RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2025

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:22:52 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Christine Buemann our Recipient of the 1ST Quarter 2025 vote.

Thank you Sabeena Bubber for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Christine Buemann has been a dedicated supporter of the mortgage industry and a well-respected figure among brokers across Canada. She has given so much to our community—now, it’s time for us to give back.

In December 2022, Christine was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that had already spread beyond her breast. She fought with everything she had, enduring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—all while navigating a painful marital breakup and caring for her two young sons.

By March 2024, she celebrated being cancer-free. But just months later, in December, she was rushed to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed a 2 cm tumour in her brain. Christine was airlifted for emergency brain surgery, and while the tumour was successfully removed, the pathology confirmed it was metastatic—her cancer had reached Stage 4.

Now, Christine faces another grueling battle. She is awaiting brain radiation and undergoing treatments to stop further spread. Her body is still recovering from the trauma of surgery, and she is being forced into menopause to slow the cancer’s progression.

On top of everything, Christine just sold her home before discovering the tumor. She must move by April 1st and find stable housing for her and her boys—all while continuing out-of-town treatments and continuing to work to support her family.

We are calling on Brokers Who Care and anyone who can help. Christine has given so much to our industry; now, let’s rally behind her. Let’s ease her financial burden so she can focus on what matters most—healing and being there for her children.

Your support can make a difference. Let’s show Christine that we care. Vote for Christine.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Nicole Mihm RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2025

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:22:49 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Nicole Mihm our Recipient of the 1ST Quarter 2025 vote.

Thank you Amber Mihm & Emily Miszk for bringing this Cause to our attention.

At just 31 years old, Nicole has been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, a devastating shock to our family. But one thing is certain—she won’t fight alone.

Nicole faces significant challenges, including a rare condition that limits her chemotherapy options and a K-Ras genetic mutation that makes her cancer more aggressive. She has already undergone surgery to have a port placed in her chest, and while she remains strong and optimistic, the road ahead is uncertain.

Through it all, Nicole’s spirit remains bubbly, hopeful, and full of life. She has a unique ability to make people feel seen and heard, befriending strangers in minutes while keeping lifelong friendships. She loves animals, gardening, and collecting Snoopy memorabilia—before cancer, you’d find her nurturing plants or playing with her nieces and nephews.

However, the financial strain is immense. Nicole does not have employer-provided income benefits, leaving her with significant out-of-pocket medical expenses. This $10,000 donation would provide crucial relief, allowing her to focus on healing rather than financial stress.

We don’t know what the future holds, but Nicole is worthy of every ounce of support. This incredible community has the power to make a real difference in her fight.

Please vote for Nicole, giving her the gift of financial relief so she can focus on what matters most—fighting, healing, and staying as bright and positive as ever.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Crystal Richelle & Glen Gordon Spark RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2024

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 19:03:12 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Crystal Richelle & Glen Gordon Spark , our Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you Carmela Addante for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Their Story:
The Sparks family is enduring immense financial and emotional strain due to Glen’s ongoing health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis, treatments, and a recent spinal surgery to address a fracture. His recovery will require at least six weeks, during which family support is critical. Glen, despite his severe symptoms, continues to manage his self-employed business whenever possible, even from his hospital bed. However, his reduced capacity has significantly impacted the family's income.

Crystal works at a local preschool but has had to take time off to care for Glen and manage his appointments, leaving her unable to fully meet the household’s financial needs. The family, including their three children, is working tirelessly to maintain stability—balancing school, work, and providing care. Unfortunately, they are now two mortgage payments behind, with overdue utility bills on payment plans, and their mortgage renewal is looming in February.

Their situation worsened recently when their daughter was involved in a car accident, totaling the second family vehicle. Thankfully, everyone is unharmed, but the loss of the car adds to their challenges. The vehicle was essential for Glen’s medical appointments and the daughter’s job. Crystal is overwhelmed, trying to hold everything together under these crushing circumstances.

This grant would provide vital relief, covering overdue expenses to secure their mortgage renewal, and help stabilize their finances during this difficult time. Supporting the Sparks family now will ensure they can focus on recovery and rebuilding without the constant weight of financial uncertainty. Thank you for considering this family in their time of need.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Jaden Marchand’s Recovery RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2024

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 19:00:38 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Jaden Marchand’s Recovery , our Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you Deborah Hall for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Their Story:
In 2021, Jaden suffered a severe anoxic brain injury on just his fourth day at a new job at the age of 21. Initially, doctors at Sunnybrook Trauma Centre told his family he would never recover and suggested organ donation. But slight signs of progress gave them hope, and they chose to fight for Jaden’s recovery.

Due to limitations in Canadian rehabilitation programs, Jaden’s family sought alternatives. In June 2022, he underwent five months of intensive therapy at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas, where he made significant strides. However, his progress plateaued with community rehab upon returning home.

Now, Jaden’s family has found a promising new treatment with Dr. Crawford in Austin, Texas, a functional neurologist specializing in repairing the central nervous system. During an initial consult, Jaden responded well to innovative therapies like PRP stem cell treatment, which aims to help the brain form new neural pathways.

To pursue this life-changing treatment, the family needs $53,000 USD for a one-month stay in Austin. They are working tirelessly to raise the funds and give Jaden his best chance at further recovery. Every contribution helps bring them closer to this goal.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Kim S RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2024

kirista@deploy.online (Kirista Beckett) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 16:52:15 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Kim S, our Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you Sabeena Bubber for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Their Story:
Kim is a member of our mortgage family. She was trying to get a divorce and her ex husband tried to kill her because of it. In the process, when he fled, he took his own life. Kim is trying to pick up the pieces for her and her 3 daughters they shared. With the ex now being deceased she has no financial support in the way of child or spousal and now has to battle his executor to divorce from his estate and get what’s rightfully hers and the girls. She has two attorneys she has to pay; a divorce attorney and an estate attorney. He was the primary income earner. Her ex-mother in law is blaming her for his death and does not want her to receive the funds. She is also looking at having to go for reconstructive surgery for the nerve damage in her face plus counselling for the children all while being self employed and supporting three young girls. There has been an outpouring of support from many people in our industry. Let's show her that Brokers Who Care will help her to get through.

PROUD TO SUPPORT The Fischer Family RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2024

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 15:35:32 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to The Fischer Family, our Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you Luisa Hough for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Their Story:
Fischer, our youngest of four, turned 4 on May 1st. In June 2024, he started experiencing severe pain, leading to the discovery of a tumor near his spine. Diagnosed with rare BCOR sarcoma, he began chemotherapy to shrink the tumor and relieve spinal pressure. Outpatient treatments will cost us $1,000 a week, adding to the emotional and financial strain on our family. Your support would be immensely helpful for us. Thank you.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Varya & Kids WESTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2024

Thu, 23 May 2024 16:48:04 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Varya and Kids, our Western Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you Laura MacCormack for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Their Story:
Following a tumultuous journey marked by illness and loss, this family's resilience is being put to the ultimate test. What began with a near-fatal battle against breast cancer for Mom took a harrowing turn when she suffered a grand mal seizure in front of her terrified children. Miraculously, she fought her way back to health, only to face another devastating blow when Covid-19 struck. Tragically, her husband's diagnosis of cancer led to his untimely passing just eight months later, leaving the family shattered.

The impact of these trials has been especially profound on their daughter, whose health declined rapidly, requiring a three-month hospitalization. With her daughter now needing round-the-clock care, Mom is unable to work, compounding the family's financial strain. Adding to the complexity, both children are autistic, amplifying the challenges they face in processing their grief and trauma.

As they navigate this turbulent time, the family's financial worries loom large, posing a significant risk to Mom's health, given her epilepsy and cancer history. Your support can provide a lifeline to this family, offering much-needed relief as they strive to rebuild their lives amidst unimaginable hardship.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Ned Simic and family EASTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2024

Thu, 23 May 2024 16:44:54 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Ned Simic and Family, our Eastern Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you to Chantal Driscoll for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

A young small family has been impacted unexpectedly with the worst case scenario. What started as headaches and seemed like it wasn’t a big deal, maybe just stress , turned into a nightmare in an instant. Ned had to undergo emergency brain surgery to have his very fast growing tumour removed as much as possible. This surgery is followed by months of radiation, chemo and anti seizure medication. He is unable to work or drive. His wife Dahlia is his number 1 care provider and off work while she helps manage his appointments and medicine, and take care of their 4 year old. This financial help will really help alleviate the stress of both parents being off work unexpectedly, and give Ned the space to focus on his healing.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Shelley Thorpe EASTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2024

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 22:10:41 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Shelly Thorpe and her daughter Heather, our Eastern Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you to Monica Chrysler for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

Shelley experienced a tramatic birth of her daughter 26 years ago. Her daughter Heather had fetal distress and was without oxygen for several minutes leaving her with permanent brain damage. Heather has never walked, has never been able to sit up, or even feed heself. She is 100% at the mercy and dependent of others to care for her. She is aware of her surroundings, but trapped inside her body, trying to fit into society. Shelley has done everything a Mother could possibly give over the years, but her small home did not have the capacity to offer the care that Heather needed. When Heather turned 18, she went into a home care facility. Shortly afterwards the world turned upside down from the pandamic and Heather fell into a deep depression without having any visitors or even being able to get out for the day. Heather's immediate community worker has recently resigned, and she has been given an eviction notice from the facility as she is behind on her lodging and medical bills. Since Heather is in a special customized wheelchair, the only way she can travel is in a wheelchair assessible van, which they don't have funds for. Shelley and her daughter are extremely distraught because she is completely disabled and will soon have no where to live, unless they can catch up on these bills.

Elevator pitch: Heather is unable to speak, walk, or take care of herself, but her spirit just loves to interact with others, or even hold the hand of a stranger. Heather and her Mom have been through so much, and now their difficult financial situation has landed an eviction notice from the lodging care facility she has been at for the past 4 years. Heather's brain damage at birth has left her at the mercy and care of others her entire life. The funds would help her to keep a roof over her head, continue with her care, and even help her to find a way to take a day trip out of the facility for even 1 day to the mall or beach this summer. She is trapped inside her own body, and her Mom has done everything a human can do to provide, but they need help....and I'm hoping and praying Brokers Who Care is the answer to their prayers....

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE Nicholls Family WESTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2024

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 22:10:36 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to The Nicholls Family, our Western Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2024 vote.

Thank you McKay Wood for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Their Story:
We were a happy and healthy family of four living in Lake Country. My husband Matt had started his own company in security system technology, I was a busy Mortgage Specialist and our two young children were going to preschool together.

In July 2021 things took a turn once we noticed that our almost three year old daughter Rylie had developed a limp. This limp progressed and one day she wouldn’t put weight on her legs at all. After trips to two different emergency rooms, we were admitted to run further tests.

Within a day and a half, we were being transported down to B.C. Children’s Hospital with an MRI showing significant disease in her skeleton. We found out on our seventh wedding anniversary, that our little girl, just shy of her 3rd birthday was diagnosed with Stage 4 aggressive Neuroblastoma. Our world stopped. Everything changed in that moment. Statistics showed that she only had a 50% chance of survival, and if she made it, would then have a 60% chance of relapse with minimal chance of survival.

I had to advise my employer that I could no longer work as I had to care for my daughter full time. Our family decided to divide and conquer - my husband and my 4 year old autistic son at home, and Rylie and myself fighting for her life in Vancouver.

She went through 18 months of intense, traumatic treatments for her cancer. This included 6 rounds of induction chemo, 12 rounds of radiation, multiple surgeries, two rounds of high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplants, a trip to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for a month for high dose radiation contrast therapy, 6 months of immunotherapy and more. During her treatment we almost lost her a couple of times due to the treatment. But in January 2023 she rang the bell for being done treatment and cancer free.

There wasn’t much joy however with the news as she had developed serious side effects during the treatment. Not only had she lost significant hearing, she wasn’t able to gain weight and had failure to thrive. The biggest concern however were her lungs. In November of 2022 she also lost her best friend Savanna, her twin flame who lost her life to the same cancer, Neuroblastoma.

In 2023 even though she was done treatment, we were airlifted to Vancouver 5 times for lung related illnesses. We were able to go on her Make a Wish vacation in April before everything went downhill. In May, my children lost their grandmother, and I lost my mom. From cancer as well. She was only 66.

The day after my mother’s funeral, Rylie and I were back in Vancouver for a lung biopsy to try to figure out what was going on. This procedure landed her in the PICU on life support and we were prepared that it may take her. But she pulled through.

While we were in Vancouver recovering, my children’s other grandparents - my in-laws, lost their home in the Kelowna fires. This was devastating as their home was a safe place for my children.

After Rylie’s stint in the PICU, we were able to make some more memories fortunately due to her resilience. We were able to go to cancer camp as a family, and celebrated her 5th birthday. She was also able to attend a few days of school in September.

But by October, she was struggling more. And we were once again airlifted to Vancouver. Once she was strong enough she had a sedated CT, where we found out her lungs were in end stage failure. We made it to Canuck Place Hospice for some respite - but she knew it was her time. I told her Savanna and grandma were waiting and she took her last breath.

Rylie’s life was remarkable. She is the poster child of B.C. Children’s hospital as her image is on buses, signs and all over social media. She battled every obstacle of her short life with grace. She is now at peace with no more treatments or hospital visits, but the rest of us will need a lifetime to recover.

Rylie’s older brother Cameron by only 16 months has experienced more grief and loss these last couple years than any child should. And because of his grief he hasn’t been able to go back to school. He is needing counselling and therapies for his trauma. Matt’s still running his company but I haven’t been able to return back to work from being Rylie’s full time caregiver to her brother Cameron’s full time caregiver.

We have experienced so much trauma and grief over the last couple years. But I do hope to use the heartache and grief and turn it into a life of advocacy, anwareness and philanthropy.

I want to thank you all so much for taking my family into consideration.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Michael Hallett WESTERN RECIPIENT 4th QUARTER 2023

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:57:51 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Michael Hallett, our Western Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Dustan Woodhouse for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

Many of you know this name, because Michael is an active Broker who shows up for our community on the regular, just last month volunteering to be grilled one-on-one at a CMBABC event.

This could be written as a heartbreaking submission…
This could be written as a rallying cry, rah-rah, submission…

But none of our hearts need any more breaking, and I can confirm that Michaels spirit is not breaking. Nor are the spirits of his wife & their 16yr old son.

An accident on Aug 31 put Michael on his back, and in the hospital, where he remains for some time to come. Limited movement, a ventilator, and a long road ahead are the current reality.

But, he’s alert, and he’s all there from the shoulders up, although communication is limited by our (variable) lip reading skills due to the ventilator.

This experience is coming at the Hallet family hard & fast, with many unexpected costs, the physical, the emotional and of course the financial. As prepared as each of us thinks we are for whatever life throws our way, sometimes we could still use a hand.

Family and friends have rallied, levels of support for Michael, and for one another, have been amazing – more than anyone would expect. A testament to how much Michael has given to those around him throughout his 47 years.

And while the path forward isn't yet entirely clear, one thing is – his new path will be an expensive one.

Michael has been an amazing face for the Brokering industry, he has made us all look good. Now is the time to say thank you in this wonderfully meaningful way.

Please rally for Michael & his family.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Houaida and Izzy WESTERN RECIPIENT 4th QUARTER 2023

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:57:49 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,500 to Houaida and Izzy, our Western Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Crystal Mamchur for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

I am writing to nominate Houaida, a remarkable woman whose compassion and dedication have profoundly impacted the life of a young girl, Izzy (Isabelle) 12 years old.

Houaida’s journey with Izzy began in the summer of 2016, when Izzy’s family moved next door. Houaida quickly bonded with Izzy, then five years old, and her mother, Brandy, who struggled with mental health issues and alcoholism. Despite Brandy’s efforts, her situation deteriorated, leading to multiple relocations and eventual homelessness.

In January 2021, a critical moment arose when Izzy, in distress due to her mother’s condition, sought refuge with Houaida. What was planned as a temporary stay extended indefinitely as Brandy’s struggles continued. Houaida, recognizing the dire circumstances, stepped in to provide a stable and nurturing environment for Izzy, even securing legal guardianship to protect her.

During this time, Izzy faced immense personal loss, including the passing of her grandparents and, tragically, her mother took her own life June 1st of this year. Through these hardships, Houaida has been a constant source of support and care for Izzy, who is now navigating the challenges of adolescence.

Houaida’s commitment extends beyond emotional support. As an Indigenous child, Izzy faced the risk of being placed with an unfamiliar family if entered into the social services system. Houaida chose to care for Izzy independently, ensuring she remained in a familiar and loving environment.

The challenges have been significant. Houaida lost her primary source of income earlier this year and has been striving to build a small business from home. Despite financial struggles, she prioritizes Izzy’s wellbeing, even at her own expense, and continues to care for their dog Bane, who has health issues.

Houaida’s selflessness, resilience, and dedication to Izzy’s wellbeing make her an exceptional candidate for support from your organization. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion and the difference one person can make in the lives of others.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Kelsey Carignan WESTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2023

kirista@deploy.online (Kirista Beckett) — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:57:45 GMT

Kelsey is a mindfulness practitioner, yoga, instructor, and speaker. With a background in psychology, she worked as a mental health counsellor before completing her 200HR RYT yoga certification in 2015. In 2018, her life took a major shift when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

At 32 years old and a mother of two young boys, Kelsey went through a bilateral mastectomy, eight rounds of chemo therapy and 25 rounds of radiation, while chronicling her journey on social media. As Kelsey recorded her step-by-step cancer journey on Instagram, she created the hashtag #kindnesscures which encouraged people to go out into the world and do random acts of kindness. It was during this time that she discovered just how powerful her yoga practice was on the path to healing. Inspired to share her knowledge with others, Kelsey founded the Vibrant Yogi community. With online yoga classes, meditations and workshops, this group is an inspiring example of what can happen when we learn to make our well-being a priority. As a yogi, who had been through breast cancer herself, Kelsey understands the critical role that movement and mindfulness play in a persons well-being. Her doctors would tell her “Do Yoga!” but nearly all of the traditional, restorative yoga poses were extremely challenging post surgery/radiation. So, pairing with her passion for yoga, with her own experience, Kelsey started an online yoga class that she would provide free yoga session every morning at 10am.

This was done for 60 days straight. When it was over people wanted more so she created a program with an all access pass. This was perfect for those yogis who are also craving a creative way to get back to their mats! She started the Get One Give One program to make sure these women have access to a supportive community, without having to worry about cost during this extremely challenging portion of their lives. With every vibrant Yogi purchase, she donates one year Vibrant Yogi app membership to a woman going through cancer. She also takes one dollar of every membership monthly and puts it towards a program she created which involves making kindness boxes and hand delivering them to women with cancer.

During Kelsey’s chemotherapy, she did something called Cold Capping which is meant to preserve your hair during chemotherapy. Kelsey understands that when women go through chemotherapy and lose their hair, it's a loss of identity and femininity, along with the other stresses women go through during treatment. Cold capping is expensive and unattainable for many women going through treatment, so Kelsey has made it her mission to volunteer her time and proceeds to supporting and bringing cold capping to women.

Kelsey has recently learned that her cancer has spread to other parts of her body. She now has stage 4 cancer in her lungs, her kidney and her liver. Regardless of recent developments, she continues to spread kindness into the world and posts on social media about love, positively and the importance of creating memories with your loved ones to continue the legacy she began at the onset of her cancer journey. Her husband Ryan has taken the next 6 months off of being a grade 5 teacher to be with his family during this small amount of time Kelsey has left.
For all of the above reasons, it is why I nominate Kelsey Carignan and her family as they are most deserving of support to continue to put this kindness and positivity into our world.

PROUD TO SUPPORT LUCAS MARTIN EASTERN RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2023

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 20:24:44 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Lucas Martin, our Eastern Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Rocco Mongelli for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

The day our world was flipped upside down was March 1 2023 our 9 year old baby boy Lucas was diagnosed with leukaemia (ALL). In the months leading up to that day we had many hospital visits trying to figure out what was going on with our son as he was losing weight, looking pale and just wasn’t himself. After many blood tests and visits with specialists we were told he had a virus that had attacked his immune system and that it would run its course, until one day his feet were hurting so bad that another hospital visit had finally revealed Lucas has leukaemia.
From that day forward our lives will never be the same, we spent the first 2 weeks at Sick Kids Hospital and Lucas had a port inserted on the right side of his chest where he received needles for bloodwork and chemo. We were told he wouldn’t be able to attend school to finish grade 3 or play the game that he loves, ice hockey. Lucas’s passion in life is hockey he plays rep hockey and was team captain for his Caledon AA team and to have that taken away from him was devastating.

Lucas’ diagnosis requires him to receive chemotherapy on a weekly basis along with multiple blood tests and transfusions. Treatment is scheduled to to end in 2026 and as you can imagine this has put stress on our family mentally, emotionally and financially. My wife Valerie was able to continue working from home while caring for Lucas and our oldest son Matthew while I was able to continue managing my small construction business but after months of continuous hospital visits for treatments it had taken its toll.
To add more to the mix, with her daily focus and mind being always on our little one, Valerie was diagnosed with anxiety and mild depression and decided it was best to take a leave from work to focus on caring for Lucas and applied for short term disability leave only to be denied based on her lack of medical history to support her claim. So we made Lucas the priority like any parent would, however, being a one income family in todays world is not an ideal situation.

Lucas is a warrior and continues to fight this disease with everything he’s got. He will have to endure 3 years of treatment (chemotherapy)and countless blood tests, transfusions and lumbar punctures. The concern for infection from a compromised immune system is always a threat to his health and as such we have to be weary of visitors to our home. A simple fever can mean 24 to 48 hour hospitalization with antibiotic treatment.

Lucas has good days and mostly bad days as chemotherapy leaves him feeling ill and depleted and spends most days after treatment lying in his bed. The morning Lucas lost his hair was a traumatic experience for him even though we talked about it happening he wasn’t fully aware or prepared for the clumps of hair left behind on his pillow.

We have come to realize that taking this journey with Lucas is impossible without the help of faith, family, friends and community. We are truly grateful for any help that we receive.

PROUD TO SUPPORT LISA WESTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2023

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:18:42 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Lisa and her daughter, our Western Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you Colin Dreyer for bringing this cause to our attention

The Nomination Story:

Having experienced the trauma of the Ft. McMurray Wildfires in May of 2016 – it was only a few short months later that Lisa was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma, breast cancer in her left breast at age 36. She underwent aggressive treatment and received a double mastectomy in hopes she would have a healthy future and be here for Phoenix.

She indeed was a warrior and fought hard through the myriad of both side and after-effects from the chemo and radiation, always with a determined yet positive attitude. Phoenix was just 6 years old having to witness this and be by her mother’s side during this courageous battle.

Her Pathology was good. Prognosis was good, as were all the follow-up regimes. We celebrated her 5 year "No Evidence of Disease" milestone in April 2022. How proud we were of what she endured, battled, and overcame!

Sadly, this was not to remain. This past February she learned the cancer had returned by metastasis during an unrelated routine ultrasound. Not only has this vicious disease returned, but it has now spread to multiple locations throughout her body.

It’s now in her liver and several areas of her bones. After many tests, scans, and medical appointments we have learned the prognosis and it was not one she wanted to hear. No one is ever prepared to hear their time on this earth will be short lived. Nor is she willing to accept it.

Lisa is 43 years old, a single mother to a 13-year-old daughter who needs her. She has a whole lot of life left to live. She will not surrender, it’s not her time.

Although devastated by this news, she had her moment and has now picked herself up, dusted herself off and ready to stand tall and face this monster head on. She's just as determined to fight once again.

"Not my first rodeo" she says, "the horse is just a little angry right now!" this is her journey, she’s in the driver seat and she’s taken the wheel.

She is currently undergoing chemotherapy which is preventing her from working and is once again suffering from side effects of treatment. Recently being hospitalized for complications of treatment, and vitamin depletion. She will be off work indefinitely. Date indeterminate.

We are organizing this fundraiser primarily to ease the burden of her financial obligations while having a greatly reduced income on disability, to cover extra medical expenses, treatments and to create experiences as time is so precious.

Since her previous battle created financial hardship, we don't want her to have to worry about her finances. We want to lessen her stressors so she can focus on her fight and healing.

Lisa has planned to attack this disease from all angles possible, she's also elected to include an alternative treatment, one that has proven cases of success, one that will hopefully extend her life, but one that is not covered by a medical program and is costly. We want her to be another success story.

Lisa’s wish is to see her daughter graduate. She will change the want to she will see her graduate!

With a positive mindset, hope, willpower, strength, love and support she will do this!

What we are graciously asking for is time!! Time to create memories, time for experiences, more time with her daughter and loved ones and more time earth side. We want to alleviate any financial pressures due to medical costs, travel for treatments and give opportunities for her and her daughter to create memories.

Lastly if Lisa, I, or anyone in our family have touched your lives in any way, this is where we humbly ask if you could please touch ours. We need your positive thoughts, strength, love, prayers, and support right now. Your generosity and kindness are so appreciated during this difficult time and mean the world to us.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE TOZER WESTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2023

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:09:55 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,000 to the Tozer and family, our Western Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Tracy Head for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

Robin and Lonna met in 2016. They had both been searching for their person, the one to start a family with and build a future together. In 2017 they married and started their family pretty much right away. They were overjoyed when Riley arrived in 2018.

Riley was barely one when Lonna was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had three surgeries to remove the cancer and was given the all-clear. Unsure if they were able to conceive another child, a fertility clinic was consulted in which only a 2% chance was given to have a sibling for Riley. Nothing short of a miracle occurred when Lonna and Robin were informed that they were to expect twins although sadly one was lost during pregnancy. They were so overjoyed when Logan arrived that Lonna fondly referred to as her rainbow baby in 2021. Their joy was overshadowed in 2022 when Logan was barely one and Lonna was again diagnosed with cancer, this time an aggressive form of cervical cancer.

Lonna underwent a radical hysterectomy in early 2022 and her medical team was optimistic that they had gotten all of the cancer at the time. While Lonna was recovering from her surgery, Logan started having Febrile seizures. He was admitted for multiple overnight hospital stays while his doctors tried to determine why he was having the seizures.
2022 was a blur of hospital stays, medications, and treatments for both Lonna and Logan. In the fall doctors found more tumors growing and spreading throughout Lonna’s lower body. Her cancer treatment team decided that chemo and radiation therapy was the best option to try to stop this rapidly growing cancer that had spread into her bladder and bowels. Complications from this treatment and spread required her to have an ostomy bag put in place to mitigate infections from bowel perforations.

Lonna suffered complication after complication and infection after infection. In early 2023 scans revealed that the tumors were still growing and the cancer had now spread to a lung which lead her oncologist prognosis to determine that she now had a low probability of surviving. In a desperate last attempt to save her life, Lonna was set to receive immunotherapy and a more aggressive form of chemotherapy. She was able to do 4 rounds of immunotherapy but was not able to undergo any more chemotherapy due to numerous infections which landed her almost all of 2023 in the hospital. There was a glimmer of hope in March as for the first time, recent scans showed very little tumor growth.

Sadly Lonna passed suddenly in April.

In the midst of this Robin lost his job. It was a mixed blessing as this allowed him to care for Lonna and the boys, but reality is that he has a mortgage payment and bills to pay.

Robin cannot go back to work yet as the doctors are still trying to sort out what is causing Logan’s seizures. He mentioned that he is afraid to sleep at night as several of the seizures have happened in the middle of the night. Robin and Lonna were careful savers so had a nest egg to draw on. After four years of heartache fighting the cancer and the ongoing concern of caring for Logan funds are getting tight. They had not asked for any financial help all the way through Lonna’s cancer battles but the time has come that they need some support.

Robin needs to be there for the boys as they navigate their new reality. His work had been in Fort MacMurray (16 hours away from home in West Kelowna) and there is no way that he can leave the boys. With the seizures that Logan is experiencing Robin needs to be with the boys 24/7 for the foreseeable future.

Choosing to support the Tozer family will help Robin be able to stay at home with the boys as long as possible.

Check out these links: https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/Kelowna_woman_loses_battle_with_cancer/

Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-tozer-family?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE DEMELO FAMILY EASTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2023

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:09:27 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,000 to The DeMelo Family, our Eastern Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Sabeena Bubber for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

Here is the story of Sarah DeMelo and her and her families journey over the past 7 months. Sarah's story was brought to me by Kayleigh Kennedy. The Kennedy family received $10,000 from BWC for their son Ethan. They met Sarah during Ethan's treatments and wanted to share her story:

Sarah has 2 young boys, Eliott who is currently 18 months and Benjamin who is now 3. Right before Bennie's 3rd birthday, he was hospitalized for a sinus infection. Sarah knew this was not right and continued to advocate for her son. It wasn't until she brought him back into the emerg after the initial hospitalization that they ran tests and determined that Bennie actually has Leukemia. His diagnosis in mid-August of 2022 was not a sinus infection, it was B-Cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which for children's Bennie's age is a 2 1/2 year treatment process. Her family was gutted and since then they have been navigating his treatments which is a challenging process, especially for a mother watching your baby go through it. Not only having to navigate this with Bennie, but also having a busy toddler at home. Then it got worse for her with her own health scare recently.

Sarah discovered a lump in her throat this winter. As of this moment, they can’t confirm until the tumour is out but her ENT is 95% sure it a head and neck cancer. Specifically a malignant tumour in her sublingual gland which spread to nearby lymph nodes. She is now awaiting surgery to remove two salivary glands and the nearby lymph nodes that are swollen with possible radiation afterwards. She will be followed by an oncology ENT for the rest of her life.

From Kayleigh Kennedy:
I am nominating her because we connected online as my story with my son is very similar. I was actually the fall 2022 recipient in September and when I heard of her story and what she is now going through with her own health, I knew that this was the least I could do to support her. Our boys are both the same age undergoing similar treatment, I know how hard it is. I also have a younger one at home and the challenges alone of having a baby and a toddler undergoing chemo is challenging, emotional, stressful and lonely. I could not imagine having my own health scare on top of it all.

Here is an update on Sarah: https://ca.style.yahoo.com/canadian-mom-tumour-son-leukemia-153148740.html

PROUD TO SUPPORT ERIN FORAN EASTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2023

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 20:08:19 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Erin Foran, our Eastern Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to George Christopoulos for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

Erin is 38, and a single mom to beautiful 5-year-old Katherine. When Erin was just 15, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at Sick Kids in Toronto where she underwent chemo and radiation treatments. In October, Erin was diagnosed with triple negative Breast Cancer and is facing down the disease once more. She’s ready for this extremely difficult journey and has the support of an excellent care team; however, more assistance is needed, especially when it comes to finances. Erin’s bills have been piling up and her living expenses have become impossible to manage due to extensive chemo treatments and her inability to work. As well, Katherine has been pulled from school to ensure no illnesses are brought home from kindergarten, which would put Erin at great risk; not an ideal situation for a child of only 5. We want to ensure Erin and Katherine have many, many more years together and that this loving mom gets the opportunity to watch her daughter grow.

Where we’re at:
Erin has completed one cycle of chemotherapy and is currently underway with her second. After her second cycle, she will still have radiation treatments, plus multiple surgeries (including a double mastectomy, followed by a later surgery for reconstruction). Despite the healthcare system covering many expenses, there are still a significant amount of costs that are out of pocket.

Where the funding goes:
Donations will be used for living expenses like rent, groceries, bills, plus tutoring for Katherine so she can stay up to date with her schooling. Funds will also be used to support ongoing medical expenses that Erin is facing.

Everything that is currently scheduled will bring us until September. The goal is to have enough support during this time to help ease her mind and allow her to focus on healing herself and the well-being of her daughter.

Please consider donating, any amount is extremely appreciated.

Much love and gratitude.

PROUD TO SUPPORT PRESLEY JANE MECHAM WESTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2023

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:28:52 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Presley Jane Mecham and family, our Western Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to McKay Wood for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

Presley was a normal one and a half year old. Cheerful, active, and busy, she was all go and no stop. The month of August 2022, however, proved difficult for her to function normally. After various trips to the ER on Aug 27th an unlikely nightmare, Presley had cancer and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, an extremely aggressive form of cancer that can overrun one’s bone marrow, blood, and central nervous system in a matter of a few short weeks. The pain and trauma that Presely has endured over the past 6 months has been monumental.

She and her mother were flown to Vancouver within a matter of hours, joined the next day by Father Daylon, and her older sister Nova. Due to her weakened bones and muscles, Presley didn’t walk for the next few months, losing all of her hair and has spent much of the time in a hospital room, most of it sitting or lying on a bed.

She recently turned 2 years old (Happy Birthday) and has been progressing through her treatments like a champion. The chemo treatments however have degraded her immune system and she has had several extra visits to the ER just to help fight infections. A small bug can mean 10 straight days in the hospital. Once, she developed a colon infection and was not allowed to eat for several days. All nutrients had to come through the IV. When she first arrived at the hospital she had two different surgeries just to insert a port-a-cath that would work. The first port became infected and had to be removed. They later inserted a new on the other side of her chest. She now bears matching scars on either side.

In December, the treatments caused her adrenal glands to not function properly and she became hypoglycemic. Finger pokes every four hours and force fed juice or syrup when blood sugar got too low. Due to forced fasting and nausea from treatments Presley lost her appetite
as well. In order to get enough calories through the day she has been given a NG tube. A tube shoved up the nose and down into the stomach. She despises this more than treatments, needles, or ER visits. The tube has to be flushed throughout the day to keep it flowing. The
water stiffens the tube in her nose and causes an uncomfortable sensation as water she didn’t
drink hits her stomach.

Presley has a long way to go over the next few years but she is brave and determined and showing progress. She is now able to walk again which is a huge step forward. There will still be a lot of ups and downs but she’s happiest with both her parents and her sister by her side. It has been a big adjustment for the whole family to be present and 100’s of kms away from home (Vanderhoof).

In September, just weeks after her diagnosis the family moved into a newly purchased home that Presley has never been to and has been sitting empty for months. Mom has been the primary caregiver during this time and Dad is sole provider for the family. He has struggled to work remotely from Vancouver for the first several months. He has applied for a leave of absence but was not granted this and so last resort to try to qualify for compassionate care leave which is dependent on Employment insurance which is 55% of insurable earnings capped at $650 a week. Costs of a new home, travel, and prescription drugs have been staggering and the family is not sure what they are going to do to pay for the mortgage and support Presley in Vancouver. Ronald Mcdonald house has graciously provided accommodations in Vancouver but having used up most of their savings and with limited family support they are struggling to know the future, bracing for the worst and wondering if keeping their home with their new mortgage is what they should do. They are however committed to uplift and support their powerful 2 year old Presley who is the light and life of their world.

PROUD TO SUPPORT NICO IEMMA EASTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2023

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:20:09 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Nico Iemma and family, our Eastern Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Brad Lockey for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

When Susan and Patrick decided to start a family, they had a vision of what life might look like with children. They did not expect the events that would occur and change their lives forever.

Nico and his twin brother Luka were born at a 1.5 lbs each at 24 weeks gestation (regular pregnancy is 40 weeks). During a long 4-month battle in the hospital, they lost their son Luka to infection. Nico continued to fight and although there were many scary moments, he made it home.

Just as the Iemma family thought they were in the clear, Nico was diagnosed with Spastic/Dystonic Cerebral Palsy – a neurological condition affecting the muscle control in his body and all 4 of his limbs. Susan left her full-time, and growing, career to do everything she could for her surviving son. Caring for a child with significant physical needs is very challenging, and very expensive, but the Iemma’s are determined to keep Nico active and involved in all the activities any developing child would enjoy.

This means absorbing the costs of wheelchairs, special swings, adapted bikes, harnesses, walkers … you name it, they figured it out. Medical Equipment that requires significant customization (due to Nico’s physical limitations) is used for recreational purposes, unfortunately, does not qualify for funding. The family struggles to continuously modify their home (indoors and outdoors) to ensure that Nico always has a means of safe transportation (adaptive vehicle, special car seats, etc....), so that Nico can access the world as a growing, active boy.
The Iemma's have paid for extra therapies and continued on their journey to provide Nico with his best life and ensure he is never left behind. Patrick and Susan had 2 more children, becoming a family of 5; and inclusive activities for the entire family is of utmost importance.

Nico surprised the world of Parasport, and his own family, when he became the 2020 Junior Athlete of The Year for the sport of Boccia. Nico started playing boccia in 2017 and has become one of the top players in Ontario, travelling to other provinces to play at the National level. This is a huge accomplishment, but with the high-level sport came more equipment costs and rental fees for practice facilities.

This family could use the help to continue their journey to keep Nico active, included, and participating in adaptive sports.

As he grows new equipment is required.
Just this year the family purchased a new powerchair to allow Nico to have more independence at home and at school. When Nico was small it was easy to carry him and run around with him in his parent's arms to allow him to access his world.

Now that he is 13, and his parents are aging, it means they need to rely more on equipment. The Iemma family is currently making plans to create an accessible yard for Nico.

Currently, Nico cannot exit the house into the backyard in a wheelchair. He would love to be able to play in the backyard with his friends and siblings. A deck with a ramp and pathways is quite expensive and the family could use some help with all the growing costs.

We would like to help this family ensure they have what they need to provide the life that any 14-year-old boy dreams off.

I went to high school with Patrick and we met at the age of 13, around Nico's age now.
Patrick is one of those guys that no one had a bad word to say about, ever.
I am proud of what he and his wife have given to Nico and their entire family.

Please enjoy meeting Nico through the attached YouTube links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UJs40BNsK0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dqd2--iS0g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrZctJrR0Ck

PROUD TO SUPPORT WESTON & BENNETT, WESTERN RECIPIENTS 4TH QUARTER 2022

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:01:31 GMT

Brokers Who Care are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Weston, Bennett & Family, our Western Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2022.

Thank you to Sasha Idema for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:

On April 13th, 2022 one Mike & Alisha's twins, Weston was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.) This news turned their world upside down. While Alisha (part-time paramedic) was unable to work to remain at Weston's side, Mike returned to his job after a few days to ensure some financial income for the family. Once Weston began his treatments as an outpatient, they were required to commute from their home in Langley to BC Children's Hospital 1-3 times a week. Since then, he has undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, bone marrow biopsies, blood and platelet transfusions and endless amounts of medications to help his little body fight off the cancer that had taken over.

At the time of Weston's diagnosis, Alisha and Mike were told that because Bennett is his identical twin and they share the same DNA, there was a 20% chance that he too may also develop leukemia. Therefore, he would need to be monitored and tested regularly for the rest of his life.

Merely four months later, on August 15th, 2022 the incomprehensible circumstance happened, and Bennett was also diagnosed with the same Leukemia. Once again, their world turned upside down, and the unfathomable reality hit that Mike and Alisha would now have to support and adjust to having two children battling leukemia at the same time.

With the unpredictable nature of this illness, there is no clear path for either of the boys. And although everyone remains hopeful, they recognize the boys will be undergoing treatments that may last years. They currently have an excellent team of doctors, nurses and specialists working with them at BC Children's Hospital (BCCH). They have even had new protocols created at the hospital to deal with having identical twins being treated simultaneously.

The struggle has continued since the last update, and the situation is even more serious now.

Weston has still been unable to fight off the adenovirus (common cold), which both boys caught over a month ago. Despite all efforts from the medical team with antiviral meds and previous procedures nothing has helped him get it under control. The virus has now taken over his whole body and has begun attacking his gallbladder and liver. With his body struggling 24-7, he is only able to stay awake a couple hours a day and has not been able to eat for weeks. He recently had an NG tube (aka feeding tube) placed in his nose down to his stomach so they can get more nutrients, mediation and food into him. His viral load is astronomically high and his team has decided to try something not been done before as an effort to find a way to help Weston get through this.

Because Bennett was able to fight off the same virus weeks back, and he has the exact same DNA as Weston, they are looking at doing a stem cell transplant from Bennett to Weston. This is in hopes that Bennett’s cells still remember how to fight this virus and can help Weston's cells do the same. This is unprecedented as both boys have had to stop their cancer treatment to try and get this virus under control before going back and continuing on with their chemotherapy. It is a very complicated situation and uncharted territories for everyone.

Alisha has been spending so much time at the hospital, they are in need of a full time nanny to care for their older son Jackson, who is 6. And Dad is working full time to keep the family afloat.

The money raised will go directly to the Openshaw family to help with out-of-pocket medical expenses, in-home medical care, gas for their endless commutes from Langley to BCCH, additional childcare for their older son and help with day-to-day activities and tasks. This will allow Alisha and Mike to focus all their energy and time on supporting their twins in their battle and ensuring their oldest son is supported throughout this journey as well.

PROUD TO SUPPORT GARNET HARPER, EASTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2022

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:01:20 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Garnet Harper & Family, our Eastern Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Monica Chrysler for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:

Garnet was a healthy and happy 35 year old family man, husband, and Father of 5 children. He was running his car detailing business and supporting his community. However, this past July, things took an extremely bad turn.

Garnet is a diabetic and unfortunately when his medication was changed, he took very ill and required kidney surgery. Things got worse from there. He got a very bad infection from the surgery. The infection moved into his blood, and now his kidney's are only functioning at 8% capacity. He can't walk and has to visit the hospital 3 to 5 times a week for a blood dialysis. He has been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, but while waiting, his condition became worse and is now a critical. This means if a kidney becomes available, he is in too serious of a condition to move forward with the kidney transplant. He is in a wheelchair and is experiencing multiple symptoms from constant pain, weight loss, sleep insomnia, extreme brain fog, fatigue, and nausea.

His wife is trying to manage his needs including bringing him to the hospital 3 to 5 times a week, manage their 5 kids, and work full time. Garnet requires daily care from Personal Support Workers and they don't have the funds to help them with this great need. The medication, babysitting, physiotherapy, wheelchair, and cost of all the medical equipment has really added up. They are in urgent need.

I hope and pray that you will consider my friend Garnet. It is unbearable to think of his serious condition, when just a few short months ago he was so vibrant. He is suffering and holding on for his life for his wife and 5 children. He requires 24/7 medical care and they are out of funds for the Personal Support Workers. Garnet's kidney's are functioning at 8% capacity and he is in critical condition. With prayer and a miracle, his condition will improve enough so that he will become a candidate for a kidney transplant.

PROUD TO SUPPORT FERRIS BACKMEYER & FAMILY, WESTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2022

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:01:04 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $1,500 to Ferris Backmeyer & Family, our Western Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Rosy Jallad for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:

Ferris is our youngest of three girls and was born with a rare genetic condition called Mainzer-Saldino syndrome. By 14 months of age, she was in kidney failure requiring dialysis. The first couple years we were focused on growth to get her to a size where she could have a kidney transplant. In March of last year, we got the call we had been waiting for! Unfortunately, there were major surgical complications, and the kidney was removed just hours later. It was a devastating loss for our family. It felt like the worst thing ever, but we were incredibly aware that it could have been worse. She recovered and by the end of April we got to bring her back home to Kamloops with us. Without a kidney, on dialysis with no plans for a transplant anytime soon. We were told to enjoy her and make memories so that is exactly what we have done!

By the end of summer, we learned Ferris’s immune system created a lot of antibodies and she was now considered “highly sensitized”. It basically means that it will be incredibly hard to find her a match. Less than 3% of the entire population would be a potential match for her. Combined with the need for very specific anatomy, we were told we would be looking for a needle in a haystack. Statistically we were told this could take years, even with her being at the top of national lists. Medically, Ferris has had a really hard year with lots of hospitalizations and zero growth. Mostly viral infections through last winter. She got critically ill from COVID-19 over Christmas. She developed intracranial hypertension this spring. Wrapped up summer with peritonitis where she was flown down to BCCH for treatment.

We have travelled down to BCCH 10 times just since Mother's Day this year. At least 60 nights spent at Ronald McDonald house or in-patient. She’s had 5 lumbar punctures, multiple IV’s, antibiotics, blood work, x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI’s. Midsummer she was referred and accepted into the palliative care program at BCCH. Realizing that a kidney may not come along, our focus has shifted to just making sure she has really great days. That her experience of being unwell is as good as it possibly can be. That her comfort and quality of life come first. Always.

THE BIG NEWS!!!! Earlier this year we were told that there was a living donor that was a pretty good match for Ferris! It was very quickly followed by the surgeon telling me he wasn’t happy with the anatomy and felt the surgery was too risky. He said no. We were encouraged to have the Toronto sick kids transplant team review her case and the living donor to which we of course agreed! Months went by and finally we heard back from Toronto. Their surgeon felt that he could do the surgery and they wanted Ferris to come to Toronto and be assessed for a kidney transplant. We went to Toronto in September and did the assessment over a few days. A couple of weeks ago we met again via Zoom and while A LOT was discussed, the take-home is that they will proceed with the transplant using the approved living donor.

This is truly exciting news for Ferris and for our family. A successful transplant would give her a chance to experience life without dialysis. One we can hardly even imagine, but when we do, it looks so sweet!!Shes currently on dialysis for 14hours every night. She’s on a lot of medications. She has very little physical energy. She has no appetite. She doesn’t feel well a lot of the time. All of that can be made better if this goes well. While we recognize it's exciting and what she needs, we have a lot of fear over attempting this again. The first time didn’t go well at all and at the time I swore we would never do that again. However, quite quickly she has shown us how fragile her life is and that we must try again. We were told that she would be the first date they get in the new year. Hospitals in Ontario are overwhelmed right now, and surgeries have been put on hold. This will affect the timing of the transplant, but we are hopeful that it will still happen sometime early in the new year. We should get the date 4-6 weeks ahead of time and would need to arrive in Toronto 2 weeks prior to the surgery. We are expected to be there for roughly 3 months. So that’s what’s next! A kidney transplant in Toronto!

We never could have never imagined that Ferris would be in kindergarten and actually going to school this year! Yet here we are! To our surprise, she’s only missed a handful of days and loves going! The school was nothing short of amazing. Not only in supporting Ferris and her complex medical needs but supporting our whole family. We have felt love from Lloyd George countless times over the past 5 years and we continue to be grateful for this community. We were asked how to best help us and if fundraising was okay. The perpetual loss of income due to all the hospital admissions and time spent at BCCH is hard to keep up with. While we will have accommodation provided at a minimal cost, and the flights taken care of for Ferris, Pat and myself, we still must get the girls there and grandma to help look after Ksenia and Tavia. Financial support or airmiles to help get our family there would be very helpful. I have been working full-time through most of this as a respiratory therapist and my husband is in his 4th year of the nursing program at TRU. I will get off work as soon as we get the date. EI and student loans aren’t the most solid of financial plans!

Truthfully, we would have drowned years ago if it weren’t for all the fundraisers and community support. Continually being on the receiving end of acts of kindness is humbling to say the least. We have been fortunate enough to be literally carried through this whole experience by a huge community of people that love us. Because of that we have been able to keep our home, make memories with our girls and stay together during some of the hardest times. We share her story because she’s such a bright light and lives an unbelievable life. She seems to touch the lives of everyone that gets to know her. Someone once told me; everyone needs a little bit of Ferris in their life! I couldn’t agree more!

Ferris has been sick since the young age of 14 months. Her normal has been in treatment, having a transplant that did not take, feeling so ill she is not able to eat. Her father has had to step away from work to help take care of the kids at home and Lindsey (her mother) has had the weight on her shoulder. They are constantly looking for new treatment and have found another donor in Toronto.

They will need to travel once again for this treatment and have depleted all of their savings. If it was not for the support of the community, Lindsey says she would not be where they are today.

Ferris is now in kindergarten something her mother did not think would be possible They have spent over 60 nights at the Ronald McDonald house, she has had 5 lumbar punctures, multiple IV's, antibiotics, blood work. Things a little girl should never have to experience.

This family is so deserving and I hope we can help relieve the financial stress so they can focus on helping Ferris get better.

PROUD TO SUPPORT CHERYL ANNE LABORDE, EASTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2022

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:00:40 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $1,500 to Cheryl Anne LaBoarde, our Eastern Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Meaghan Hastings & Caryn Negin for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:

Cheryl Anne is dealing with very tragic life circumstances, none of which are as a result of her doing. She is a divorced single mother of two daughters, and receives no support from her ex-husband.

She is in her mid 50's and has sadly been dealing with cancer for 20 years. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 20 years ago and at the time the oncologist only gave her one radiation treatment instead of the usual protocol of two. As a result a number of years later her cancer recurred and has metastasized to her back, spine, chest, breast, and hip. Her job as a domestic cleaner is now impossible to carry out as she is in excruciating amounts of pain all the time and is unable to do any physical labour.

When Cheryl Anne was healthy she would unselfishly drop everything on the fly to help anyone in need in her circle of friends and family. She would often help family and friends financially even with her limited financial means. She would cook and bake for people and take them food when they were sick and often cooked large feasts for her church. Sadly none of the many people that she had helped over the years had come to her assistance in her time of need.

Cheryl Anne has always been been self employed, so while sick and unable to work she has no income whatsoever, has no benefits coverage and has burned through her limited life savings.

Cheryl Anne has never been on government disability or unemployment and because she earned a measly $21 too much to quality for keeping CERB, the Government clawed back the full $10,000 from her, forcing her to use her credit cards to pay back the government, and putting her into significant debt.

She has a used vehicle that she bought a few years ago to get her to work. The vehicle, which she now needs in order to get to and from her cancer treatments, is in need of repair, however she can't afford to repair it so is thinking of selling it. She lives in a very modest basement apartment and has always lived well within her means.

All of these unfortunate and extremely sad circumstances have left her in a horrible emotional, physical and financial state. Considering she has always been the first one to step up and help people, it's her turn to be given a hand up during this difficult time. The $10,000 would go a long way for Cheryl Anne and would alleviate some undue stress during an extremely stressful time in her life.

Everyone deserves a hand up during trying circumstances, especially when they've been the one to step up for others all of their life. Cheryl Anne LaBorde is a classic example of this. She has always been kind, caring, unselfish and the first to help anyone in a pinch. Now that her life has tragically become extremely challenging due to health and financial problems, it would be only too appropriate to reward a good soul like Cheryl Anne with the Brokers Who Care Grant in order to help alleviate the burdens and suffering that she is facing.

PROUD TO SUPPORT AISLYN'S FIGHT AGAINST CANCER, WESTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2022

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:00:14 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $500 to Aislyn & Family, our Western Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Andy Saran for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:

Hi, my name is Michelle, and I'm proposing this application for my goddaughter Aislyn who is 1.5 years old and has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer (Clear Cell Sarcoma).

Aislyn has been brave and already survived her intensive surgery, and she is now going into a 10-12 month battle with advanced chemotherapy and radiation. She will require weekly chemotherapy treatment and often be required to stay in the hospital for 3-5 days post-treatment due to the intense therapy she will receive.

Aislyn is afraid and in pain and needs her mom (Vanessa) and her dad (Patrick) with her at BC Children's Hospital.

Firstly, I ask everyone to pray for Aislyn Raven Mercado for help and health. Secondly, this proposal is to help support the parents with fixed living costs so they can take time away from work to be with their daughter while she fights for her life.

Aislyn is such a sweet and intelligent little girl who brings joy into the lives of everyone she meets.

Update: Aislyn is about to complete her three-month mark of chemotherapy and next week we will see an update on progress with a body scan and further blood work/testing. The doctors will be able to solidify prognosis and continued treatment plans with these results. The current treatment plan is another 7-9 months of chemotherapy and then treatment and testing will be quarterly until graduated from high school. The family is holding up as best can be, however it’s day by day and the uncertainty weighs heavily.

Aislyn needs her mom with her while going through treatment and staying at BC Children's Hospital. Her mom is a teacher and has just finished maternity leave and thereby is not eligible for compassionate leave or EI. These funds would be used to offset the EI her mom will not be receiving to take care of her daughter through chemotherapy treatment.

PROUD TO SUPPORT NICOLLE GEORGIEV & FAMILY, EASTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2022

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 20:59:50 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $500 to Nicolle Georgiev & Family, our Eastern Recipient of the 4th Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Veronica Love for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:

My god daughter was going through cancer treatments when she received a "Love Box". This box was lovingly filled with some amazing things - slippers, socks, a toque, make-up, colouring books, crayons - all the things that a 12 year-old would want while spending time in hospitals and Ronald McDonald House. Once Jerzie’s health was better and she was cancer-free, because her mother was so moved by this gift, she reached out to see how she could volunteer and help.

That is when she met Nicolle & Jim, the parents of a child who also had cancer who created the Love Box program. Nicolle and her husband Jim started the Love Box program in 2016 because they knew first-hand what it was like to have a sick child and live in hospital and go through treatments. Nicole and Jim have two children - Caleb 14 and Sophia 11. Sophia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in or around 2013, a month before her 2nd birthday.

They rallied their family, friends and community to help them fill boxes with toys, crafts, games etc, and distributed them to hospitals across the GTA, Durham and surrounding areas for children that were spending time in the hospital over Christmas.

Over the years, the Super Sophia Project has grown into an amazing charity that continues to fill and gift Love Boxes to children in the hospital over Christmas and to date has gifted over 20,000 Love Boxes! Also to note; at first it was for cancer kids, over the years and as they had more boxes being filled, it goes to any kid in the hospital over the holidays. She also does boxes throughout the year as people reach out or as she learns of kids that are sick or recently diagnosed. You would have no idea the impact these gift boxes make.

I love that they immediately started to do this for children because of their own tragic experience with their daughter. Fortunately, Sophia is cancer free to this day but sadly, in 2019, Jim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and passed away 5 weeks later.

Now Nicolle is a widow and a solo parent to Caleb and Sophia. They live in a low-income area of Pickering and she struggles to provide for her children as Jim was the main income earner.

With so much tragedy in Nicolle and her children’s lives, she still continues to inspire others to be kind and spread love and has carried on with the Super Sophia Project and organizes and donates more boxes than ever to other families. She has inspired so many others, like my friend and Jerzie’s mother.

Regardless of her life hurdles, she continues to be positive and do everything she can for others. I hope Brokers Who Care can help Nicolle and her children out. She is definitely deserving as she always finds time to put others before herself. She is an inspiration. Brokers Who Care – this is a very deserving family who could use a little support financially. I am hoping we can help them so they can continue to help others.

Nicolle Georgiev is a mother to a child who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in or around 2013, a month before the child’s 2nd birthday. She and her husband went through the horrible experience of supporting a toddler through cancer treatments. They took a negative experience and made it a positive one by starting an incredible charity called The Sophia Project where they started supporting other families with sick children going through treatments with Love Boxes.

Fortunately, Sophia is cancer free now but sadly, in 2019, Jim was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and passed away a shockingly 5 weeks later. Nicolle is now a widow who is solo parenting two children – Caleb, 14 and Sophia, 11, and she is struggling to make ends meet as Jim was the main income earner.

Yet, despite all of Nicolle and her children’s tragedies, Nicolle continues to be an angel to other families as she organizes and packages thousands of Love Boxes and gifts them to children while they go through hospital stays and treatments.

Regardless of her life hurdles, she continues to be positive and do everything she can for others. I hope Brokers Who Care can help Nicolle and her children out. She is definitely deserving as she always finds time to put others before herself. She is an inspiration. Brokers Who Care – this is a very deserving family who could use a little support financially. I am hoping we can help them so they can continue to help others.

For more details on The Super Sophia Project & Love Boxes, please visit: www.thesupersophiaproject.ca

PROUD TO SUPPORT DECLAN'S MEDICAL JOURNEY, WESTERN RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2022

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 23:39:01 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Declan Lord & Family, our Western Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Crystal Mamchur for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Declan & Mom receiving cheque

Declan's Thank You video

Declan's Nomination Story

Declan's medical journey started in 2009 with his battle with cancer. He has battled cancer 3 times. He was just 10 months old his first round and had a major spinal cord resection to remove a very large tumour (C1-T5) from inside his spinal cord. The surgery was 9 hours long. He came out a paraplegic. He worked hard at rehab and eventually was able to walk pushing a walker and wearing leg braces and was considered a mild paraplegic.

He then relapsed when he was 18 months old. He went in for a second surgery (the same surgery he had had before) and came out a complete paraplegic again. He also developed a few conditions as side effects. He has Horners syndrome- which affects his right eye-his pupil doesn't dilate. It also effects his entire body, he can't sweat and cool his body down. If he over heats he is at risk for seizures. He also developed a condition called syringomyelia, which is cysts (pockets of fluid) throughout his spinal cord.

He relapsed again at 2 years old, which is when he did 28 rounds of high dose radiation. He was so very sick and hospitalized for over a month and taken by ambulance for all of his radiation appointments from the hospital to the cross cancer.

Thankfully Declan has been cancer free since, but unfortunately he has so many side effects from his cancer and spinal cord injury. Cognitively he has no issues, he is a very kind, hilarious, thoughtful young man. It is all purely physical limitations with him.

He has had infection after infection and was hospitalized on average every 2 months for 2 weeks at a time for about a year and a half (age 3-4.5). He had to have a finger amputated due to infection, he is missing his 4th digit on his right hand.

Declan has been in for multiple surgeries over the last 13 years. And with every surgery he has had, there have been multiple complications and extra-long hospital stays. He has had a cecostomy button put in due to having little control over his bowels. This surgery allowed him to not have accidents in public (like at junior high school or events he attends). He has to hook himself up to a flush every second day. This pushes water through his entire intestines (from the top) and flushes out his bowels completely. This process takes about an hour and a half to two hours each time.

He has had a mitrofanoff put in for cathing purposes and control over his bladder. With this surgery Declan almost died from complications, a code blue was called on the hospital unit. This was definitely one of the scariest complications he has had. Declan caths every 3 hours daily with a new catheter each time (this can get costly as each catheter costs approximately $2.70).

He has had surgery to lengthen the muscles in his legs. This is where they go in and snip the muscles and snap the foot up and place it in a cast for an extended amount of time. The muscle then starts to heal along with all the scar tissue to lengthen it. With spinal cord injury the muscles can't keep up with the growth of the body, this is why this needs to be done multiple times, the younger the patient the more times it is required to be done as they grow.

He has done this surgery twice so far, once in just the lower half of both legs (age 4) and again on the entire leg of both legs up to the hips (age 8.5). He was in an 'A frame' cast which went up to his hips and had a bar in between holding his legs apart in an 'A' while he healed. He had many complications with the second surgery and ended up at the Stollery for a few weeks, and then was transferred over to the Glenrose Hospital for over 4 months. Unfortunately Declan will require this surgery again within the next year (age 14) and possibly another two times after that until he is done growing.

Declan developed scoliosis because of all the spinal surgeries and radiation. As he has grown over the last 5 years it has worsened and has continued to contort his body and hinder his ability to walk with his canes, sit straight, do certain games/activities with his peers, wheel himself in his wheelchair to classes, and even breathe properly. His body has twisted and was starting to crush his lungs and reduce heart function, this would have eventually crushed both his heart and lungs and Declan would not have survived to adulthood. His twisting led to him developing 'angel wings' where his right shoulder blade was starting to protrude out of his back and create a lot of pain when laying down and sitting. He also developed a condition called kyphosis on his upper spinal cord which left his head in a forward crooked hanging position, and unless treated would make it so that Declan eventually wouldn't be able to hold his head up on his own. It was affecting his balance terribly within the last year or so. To fix this he required two surgeries.

The first surgery was to place a halo in his skull in order to do an intense traction regime to stretch the muscles, tendons and spinal cord in order to prepare for step two. This involved hanging weights from the halo, getting up to 32lbs. The second surgery was to place rods and screws in his upper back along with having a portion of his spinal cord fused together. They also had to break 5 ribs in order to twist the body back around. They had to shave part of the shoulder blade sticking out on the right side and pull the entire shoulder down because it was sticking up and out so high. He just had part two done on September 14, 2022 and has been in the hospital for 4 weeks. He is currently still in hospital slowly recovering from this very big surgery. It has been very hard on his little body and big mind.

Declan has been through so much in his life, he has endured more than most go through in their entire lives. Although he has developed some anxiety and PTSD, he still continues to be so unbelievably brave as he continues to endure surgery after surgery. Declan loves magic and jokes and bringing other people joy. He lights up a room when he comes in and captures the hearts of all who are lucky enough to meet him. Despite all of his obstacles, he tries to always stay positive and live life to the fullest.

This money would not only be beneficial to the family right now (currently they have been in the Stollery for a 4 week stay), but also for money to be set aside for Declan as he gets older. He has a life long struggle ahead of him and will require so many extra things in life that most people don't even think about. Accessible housing, an accessible vehicle equipped with hand controls and wheelchair lift so he can get himself around, supplies to continue with basic life needs, and so many more things. This money would be a Godsend for such a special little boy.

Declan is 14 years old. His Medical Journey started in 2009 when he was less than 1 year old. He has battled cancer 3 times. He's had multiple spinal surgeries where he's come out as a paraplegic and was able to rehabilitate to mild paraplegic more than once. He's had many other side effects of the multiple surgeries over his lifetime, one being scoliosis. His most recent surgery happened on Sept 14, 2022 and his family currently has a 4 week stay at the Children's Stollery Hospital currently. This has put financial strain on the household and Declan's medical journey is not over.

PROUD TO SUPPORT 'E' IS FOR ETHAN, EASTERN RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2022

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 23:38:25 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Ethan Kennedy & Family, our Eastern Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Don Chen for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Update from Ethan's Family

I was recently informed that my family will be awarded your quarterly donation to a family in need. I cannot tell you how much we appreciate this incredibly generous gift. When my family was given the terrible news of our son's diagnosis, a lot of things ran through our minds. One of the thoughts is how can we properly look after him while still meeting our financial commitments. This generosity really helps lighten that burden and alleviate some of stress while looking after a sick child.

So far Ethan’s treatment has been going pretty well. He’s into the second phase of induction in his treatment protocol. Every couple of weeks he has a lumbar puncture (LP) to test his bone marrow. The last 2 LP’s have been cancer free and

the genetic mutation that made him high risk was no longer detectable. This is great progress, and means the treatment is working.

Unfortunately with the good there is bad. Ethan passed a kidney stone caused by the chemo drugs 2 weeks ago, causing significant pain and bleeding. And we’ve had to briefly pause treatment due to his blood counts being so depleted. We know that there will be hiccups and the process is unpredictable.

However, his counts are now back up and we’re working to finish the second phase of the induction. At the end of this phase another lumbar puncture will be performed to see how Ethan has progressed and to see how treatment will look like for the next 6 months. We’re still at the beginning of a journey that will take over 2 years, but so far so good.

Again I would like to thank your organization for selecting us, I think it’s incredible work that you’re doing for families in need, and it means the world to my family.

Sincerely,

Kevin, Kayleigh, Ethan & Zoey Kennedy

Ethan's Nomination Story

Imagine just a few months ago, a newborn baby girl joined your family making it complete. However, through a series of unpredictable events, their worst fear began to unfold. This is their story.

I would like to introduce you to the Kennedy Family - Kevin, Kayleigh, Ethan (2 yrs), and Zoe (7 mos). Kevin has been a paramedic for the Region of Peel for over 8 years. Kayleigh is a loving mother who recently took on a BFS (Business For Self) role to be able to look after their newborn while continuing to be a pillar of financial support. Ethan is their toddler who loves all things cars/trucks. Baby Zoe, the newest addition to the Kennedy's, is nothing less than a bundle of hope and joy.

Their story began in March 2022 when the entire family caught COVID. While most family members had mild symptoms and recovered quickly, their son Ethan remained constantly plagued by fevers and nasal congestion. Fast forward to August 2022, when they attended their first BBQ as a family of 4, they were advised by a family member that their son Ethan seemed more tired than usual and he looked very jaundice (“yellow tone to skin”).

Leaving the BBQ, Kevin and Kayleigh couldn't shake their feeling of concern, so they took Ethan to the McMasters Hospital for Children. After hours of testing and waiting, the result came back as every parent's worst nightmare. Ethan was diagnosed with Leukemia, a cancer of the blood. Ethan was put on an aggressive Chemotherapy program and began blood transfusions. The preliminary diagnosis was that he would only require treatment for one month. The family scrambled to organize their daily affairs while attending to a newborn and sick toddler. They were fortunate to be placed into Ronald McDonald House as they lived 1.5 hour away from the children's hospital.

Ethan was not responding as expected during his month-long treatment for cancer. Further testing revealed that Ethan had a genetic abnormality which would worsen the effects of his Leukemia. Doctors extended his treatment plan to 7 months of intense chemo (3x per week) followed by approximately 2 years of supportive chemo all at the McMasters Hospital. His parents were advised that if this did not work, their final option would be a bone marrow transplant.

After hearing their story and how it has unfolded this year, I know it is without question that the Kennedy family would be a wonderful candidate for this charity. The funds from “Brokers Who Care” will help them alleviate the associated financial stress and will help ensure that adequate help is available 24 hours a day to support Ethan. More importantly, the funds will be a token of positivity for the Kennedy's, adding value to the precious time they have with Ethan, and uplifting their energy needed to support Ethan on this difficult journey.

"E is for Ethan". This is the chant we will say for the little warrior battling Leukemia. Ethan is currently starting his 2.5 years extensive treatment to battle cancer. While Ethan remains in high spirits, this additional financial help for the Kennedy Family will ensure Ethan gets the best care possible and create more memorable moments for the family.

PROUD TO SUPPORT EMMA'S MUM - REGAN, WESTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2022

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 22:26:35 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Emma's Mum - Regan, our Western Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Sabeena Bubber for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The following note of thanks was received from Emma's Mum, Regan.

Dear Brokers Who Care,

I want to express my sincere gratitude to you for your very generous gift. It is a lot to take in and we are overwhelmed with your kindness and moved by your support.

As you may know, I am a single mother to three young adults; Aidan, Liam and Emma. They all live at home and are actively pursuing post secondary education. Sadly, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma which is an incurable blood cancer. The cancer caused me to have several vertebral fractures which has greatly limited my ability to provide basic care and household needs for myself or my family. In October 2021 I had a stem cell transplant and have been unable to work since. As the sole provider for my children, this diagnosis has been devastating and I have worried about meeting my financial obligations. On top of not having the same income, there have been so many unanticipated expenses associated with this cancer, medical aids, medication etc that are not covered by my health plan.

When Sabeena called me with the wonderful news I was in a terrible place. Not only was I feeling the effects of treatment and loss of independence, I hadn’t had any income for months, my recliner that I had to buy as I was unable to sleep in my bed broke and I couldn’t see any way out of a downward spiral of financial stress.

Your gift has helped to ease this burden. I am able to focus on my health and well-being by not feeling bogged down by stress. Please know that I will use this money wisely to help cover my medical needs. I will also be buying a recliner so I can sleep again.

Thank-you also for teaching my children the value of community. They have seen first hand how the kindness of others can help remove stress and worry enormously. I have asked them all to pay it forward when they are in a financial position to do so as will I.

From the bottom of my heart, thank-you. Your support has helped to lift us up in the moment we most needed it. It truly means the world to me and my family.

We are deeply grateful for you.

Regan

Nomination Story

Recent Update: Emma's mum recently underwent a bone marrow transplant to try and save her from this terrible disease but is still very sick.

This Go Fund Me Page was started by my client's daughter. My client is a very private person but she is in desperate need of help. I helped her a little over a year ago move into a new home. She worked so hard to provide the right property to live in and to provide a safe place for her and her three kids. She is a single parent and became very sick shortly after she took possession of her new place. Here are the comments from her daughter Emma who started the Go Fund me Page to help her Mom.

Hi, my name is Emma and I'm organizing this fundraiser with my school counsellor, Ms. Hogan, on behalf of my mum. I want to start by saying how thankful my family and I are for all the people who have sent their love and support during these difficult times.

As a family, we have kept my mum's diagnosis quite private until we were able to come to terms with everything. In April 2021, my mum was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a type of non-curable blood cancer that is rooted within the plasma cells. This was discovered after suffering tremendous pain for months prior from 7 compression fractures in her thoracic and lumbar spine, which have left her with lingering mobility issues. On average, patients with Multiple Myeloma live 5-7 years after their diagnosis.

Although this cancer is non-curable at this day in age, it is treatable. My mum has been doing chemotherapy and bone building infusions since April, with the hope of having a stem cell transplant in September 2021 to restart her immunity. Unfortunately, she was very sick last month and had to have two unexpected surgeries which led to many complications. Due to this, her stem cell transplant was delayed to mid October. Last week, she was commuting to Vancouver General Hospital every day for many appointments such as receiving injections to increase her stem cell count, having a central line put in due to frail veins, and beginning the collection of stem cells where they were being spun, frozen, and renewed.

Early this week, my mum will receive a very high dose of chemotherapy with the goal to kill off everything. The downside is that it kills all good and bad which will leave her with zero immunity. They will then go ahead with the transplant putting the stem cells back and hoping they graft.

The hope of this fundraiser is to relieve some of the financial burden which my mum is feeling as she goes through this treatment. Post transplant, she will be staying at the Jean C Barber Lodge Cancer Society facility for a month with 24-hour care giving and monitoring as she will be very weak. It is $116 per night for both her and my older brother to stay, with a possibility of totaling up to $6,000. Thankfully, my mum’s insurance covered most of the expenses for the medicine needed for this procedure, however, some support with mobility equipment expenses is something we would greatly appreciate. It is a long road to recovery and the future is very uncertain at this point. She will be off work for roughly 3-6 months.

Being a single mum of 3, (Emma, 17, Liam, 20, Aidan, 22), I have seen her struggle before, but this has been 10 times harder. She has given her entire life for us, so it is only fair that I do everything in my power to help her. Some may say that their mum is strong, but they will never know the true value of saying it and fully meaning it. I say with everything in my heart that my mum is strong. If I could wish for one thing in the world, I would wish for a magical cure, but not even that would be equal to the number of things that she has done for me. Since the day she brought me into this world, she has been my rock and my person, which is why I feel so strongly to help her. My mum doesn’t want cancer to be what defines her and would still like to keep aspects of our life private. It took a lot to convince her to allow me to move forward with this, but we are in a place where we need your support. If you are able to help in any way, it will be greatly appreciated and mean the absolute world to my family. Thank you!

PROUD TO SUPPORT CHANTAL JUTEAU, EASTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2022

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 22:26:28 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Chantal Juteau, our Eastern Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Rosa Bovino for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Thank you from Chantal and her family. To watch the presentation video click here .

Nomination Story

The last thing you want to hear is that your children are sick. Unfortunately, on April 18, 2020, Chantal was first officially diagnosed with Cancer. This day was absolutely horrifying to all of us. About 12 months prior to this Chantal had undergone surgery and we were told very little. We knew it was cancer but on May 1, 2020 we were told it was all removed and we had nothing to worry about. I remember the joy we felt as I shared the news with friends and family. Chantal had her check up 3 months later as well as 6 months later and we were told no regrowth was there but just 12 short months later we were told the growth had returned.

We did not know the extent of it or how much this would be impacting her life. Chantal had great days and rough days. Her first surgery was horrible - she could hardly walk some days, she had to adapt to life with a walker. Every day was still a gamble as she had always felt something was not right. She was living in pain already but what had come next, we would have never expected. This news was terrifying. The one thing I knew was I wanted answers. We waited on CT scans, MRI’s, additional Biopsies and in August we were told the cancer had spread to her Pancreas, Lungs and that she had 3 new tumors on her Gluteus Maximus. We had met with Oncologists at the Tom Baker where we were told this was now stage 4 and incurable cancer. I was floored. How do you sit and listen to this news about your own baby? I wondered if this was real, how could this be happening to the kindest soul. They diagnosed Chan with Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma. There is not too much information about this cancer as it's very uncommon; a form of tissue/bone cancer.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE NAVARRO FAMILY, EASTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2022

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 20:25:02 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to The Navarro Family, our Eastern Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Matthew McKillen for bringing this Cause to our attention.

To the incredibly beautiful and generous people who made this happen for my family I want to extend my most sincere and deep gratitude.

We were so grateful to have been nominated for this amazing opportunity and floored to learn that we were chosen. Abe was the love of our lives. These past few months have been incredibly painful and we are constantly under a storm cloud, navigating life without him. We miss him in everything we do. We would give anything to have him back with us.

When I received the cheque from 100 brokers who care, I was speechless. I went to the bank and shared the story of Abe, the accident and our complete devastation with the teller. I pointed to the cheque telling the teller look at what this amazing group of people have done for us. Through tears we both spoke about how the kindness of strangers was a warm and tight hug around myself and my children. I know Abe is smiling down from heaven so very grateful that his family was chosen for this generous donation.

From the bottom of all our hearts thank you so much for this incredible financial gift.

Angela, Logan, Ava, Eden and Landon.

Nomination Story

Abe Navarro passed away on December 2nd, 2021 in an automobile accident. Abe was 40 years old, had just launched a business a few months prior and unfortunately had no life insurance. He left behind his partner Angela and his 4 children: Logan (12 years old), Ava (11 years old), Eden (8 years old), Landon (4 years old)

Abe was loyal to a fault, a kind and incredibly loving human being. The family was always first for Abe, especially when caring for and raising his dear children, Logan, Ava, Eden, and Landon.

Abe also leaves behind his partner, Angela Grassa. Angela is the mother and legal guardian of the children and has taken a undetermined leave of absence to care for her children in these difficult times. Abe lived for his kids and was known to say" I want to leave a legacy for them".

Abe Navarro family was actively involved in the care of the children. The Navarro family has been devastated by this accident plus loosing the primary wage earner in the family. Angela and the children have had extreme emotional and financial challenges during these times. Presently, Angela is not working and on leave from her job as she's not mentally able to handle the demands of her job.

Elevator Pitch
The benefit of our gift will be to provide the following:

Future education (ie post-secondary) for Logan, Ava, Eden, and Landon
Extracurricular activities to maintain a level of normalcy for the children
Therapies and other special support specific to each of the children
Grief counseling and other supports to put each of the children on a path to healing

This is a terrible tragedy for this family and all those impacted by his sudden loss. Our financial gift will greatly help this family on the path to healing in the short and long term.

PROUD TO SUPPORT HELP LACHLAN WALK, WESTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2022

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:04:30 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Help Lachlan Walk, Run and Play Again, our Western Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2022 vote.

Thank you to Sabeena Bubber for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Words of thanks from Lachlan & his family:

Dear Sabeena and Brokers that Care,
With deep gratitude we are greatly humbled with your decision to choose our family to receive a bursary for our son Lachlan. These funds will go a long way to help pay for the many rehabilitation therapies he needs to recover from brain cancer-to get back to being a kid again. Our sincere thanks to Sabeena for suggesting to us to put our name forward.

Nomination Story

Lachlan was having morning sickness and dizzy spells in the spring of 2020. It didn’t seem serious. It might have been anxiety. He was an otherwise healthy and active boy of 12, the youngest of 4 siblings. But Mom (Allie) knew something was wrong, having spent the past 18 months helping Lachlan’s older brother Max recover from a traumatic brain injury. She pushed for an MRI, which was not easy as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

*Max (Lachlan's brother) was the victim of a violent attack on Grouse Mountain when he was only 13. He was stabbed in the head with a ski pole that resulted in a brain hemorrhage.* He is now fully recovered.

On September 11, 2020 Lachlan had an MRI. The result was every parent’s worst nightmare. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain cancer called “medulloblastoma”. Emergency brain surgery was required to remove the tumour. This was the start of Lachlan’s cancer journey.

After surgery, Lachlan and Dad (Dave) travelled to Seattle for specialized proton radiation therapy that’s not available in Canada. Due to COVID restrictions, they isolated in Seattle for 7 weeks of radiation treatment. Lachlan returned home to North Vancouver and started chemotherapy in December … 9 rounds of chemotherapy over 12-months!

There’s no way to sugar coat this. Cancer sucks. Radiation and chemo was hell. Lachlan lost 40% of his body weight. He spent a total of 195 days and nights in the oncology ward at BC Children’s Hospital. His hair fell out (9 times). He could barely eat or drink. He was sick almost every day. He threw up so often that he had a feeding tube inserted into his stomach. He battled infections and leakage of toxic cancer drugs into his chest.

And due to COVID, he was isolated. Only Mom and Dad were allowed into the hospital. No siblings, grandparents or friends could visit. Or his special puppy Milo! Through it all, Lachlan never once complained. He never said …“this is so unfair” … or “why me?”. He just got it done. We are so incredibly proud of what Lachlan has accomplished. Such a strong, courageous and inspiring young man!

Lachlan was released home on December 30th, 2021. So, what happens now? The reality is that recovery will be just as hard as the treatment. Physical. Emotional. Cognitive. Life. It’s a work in progress … 1 breath, 1 step, 1 day at a time. Allie remains on leave from work to provide the full-time medical care that Lachlan requires at home.

Elevator Pitch
Lachlan’s family has been through so much and the costs of therapies with one parent off work are mounting. Lachlan has three siblings. His brother Max was the victim of a violent attack on Grouse where he was stabbed in the head with a ski pole and almost died from a brain hemorrhage. Lachlan has completed the treatment for a malignant brain tumour that has left him needing to relearn how to walk as well as restore his cognitive and emotional challenges before he can even return to school. His family has a long road ahead with mounting costs for various therapies required to get him back to being a normal kid again.

PROUD TO SUPPORT AILEEN GUITTAP RAMOS & FAMILY, WESTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2022

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 21:07:49 GMT

Brokers Who Care are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,000 to Aileen Guittap Ramos & Family, a second Western Recipient (of anonymous donations) of the 1st Quarter 2022.

Thank you to Jenn Schill for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Aileen is a young 35 year old woman in our community with 2 daughters, Belle age 7 and Hannah age 4. She is in the process of leaving a very abusive relationship. She had not been feeling well for a while - finally her brother-in-law took her to emergency and she was admitted immediately. This past week she has been diagnosed with cancer that is in her blood, spine, lungs and breast. She will be having more tests this week and then her medical team will outline a treatment plan.

Her wonderful sister and brother-in-law are taking care of the girls while their mom is in the hospital, but it isn't easy as they have a 7 year old non-verbal special needs son of their own and money is very tight, so taking any time off work is not an option. Her sister works the 5am-2pm shift at a grocery store and her husband the 4pm - 3am shift at the same grocery store so they can care for their son and now their nieces on top of navigating the medical needs of Aileen. The 6 of them are living in a 2 bedroom apartment.

There is so much more to this story and it is utterly heartbreaking.

Elevator Pitch:
Broker Community, I am in tears writing this pitch as this family needs this so much. Aileen and the girls were dumped off by their abuser with literally what they were wearing. They were hesitant at first to even allow me to nominate them as they didn't want to be taking away from anyone else in need. This is just the kind of people they are. This is a very long road ahead for them. Thank you for your consideration.

PROUD TO SUPPORT JIM GREENAWAY, EASTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2021

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:23:24 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to J im Greenaway , our Ea s te r n Recipients of the 4th Quarter 2021 vote

Thank you to Monica Chrysler for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

I met Jim's wife (Cori) when I was 10 years old (39 years ago!). She was always the sweetest girl in the class and we were able to reconnect after all these years, which has been amazing. However I was very saddened to find out that they just lost their home due to an unexpected illness that started with Jim in April 2021.

Jim had a surgery to remove an aneurysm beneath his knee, which developed into infections, 3 more surgeries, 78 staples, almost lost his leg and he is not out of the water yet. He was in the hospital for 2 months and back and forth to multiple appointments, missing so much work, and eventually they maxed out on all their bills and lost their home. I just feel sick that the nicest girl in the class is homeless and dealing with this financial struggle and trying to bet there to help her husband.

They said the thought that someone is even willing to help them brought tears to their eyes. They could use some help to come up with 1st and last month rent so he has a safe place to try to recover. The pain he is in and fear of loosing his leg and not having a home has been extremely difficult. I know in my heart that if they get back on their feet they will pay this good deed forward.

PROUD TO SUPPORT JACKSON MIDDLETON & FAMILY, WESTERN RECIPIENT 4TH QUARTER 2021

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 21:14:06 GMT

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Jackson Middleton & Family, our Western Recipients of the 4th Quarter 2021 vote.

Thank you to Sabeena Bubber and Christine Buemann for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Jackson Middleton is one of the founders of 100 Brokers and needs our help. Jackson was admitted to ICU with Covid and will be hospitalized at least until Christmas. He has a long road ahead of him. Jackson is the primary income support for his family, Stephanie his wife and their four young kids, Emma, Magnus, Fergus and Hamish. Jackson has done so much for Brokers Who Care and for this organization to keep it going on the back end. He has hosted the website and created the platform for this organization to exist. It seems that now is the time for us to show the Middleton family how much WE care and appreciate Jackson for his Service to all the families before him that have needed financial assistance.

To know Jackson is to love him. He has not only been a staple in the mortgage industry for many years, he is also one of the founding members of this amazing group. He has given so selflessly to our community and I sincerely hope we can return some love and support to his family during these challenging times. Jackson’s family is his everything and knowing that they are being taken care of is the very least we can do.

Brokers Who Care would not exist if it were not for the marriage of the idea from Sabeena and the platform creation from Jackson to make this all possible. Now the Middleton Family needs our help and we should show them how much we care about the significant difference that Jackson has made to all the past families we have been able to support.

PROUD TO SUPPORT – WESTERN RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2021

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 20:55:13 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000.00 to our Western Recipient of the 3rd Quarter vote, 2021.

Thank you to Kimberly Coutts for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Our Recipient is a single parent, financially struggling to make ends meet. She is going through a very hard time after being physically, mentally, and emotionally abused by her husband for 10 years and now raising her daughters.

As everything was in the husband’s name (home, credit cards, cars etc.) she has no credit and is living with only her monthly child benefit cheque. The bills are piling up. Family has helped her with legal fees, buying groceries, purchasing clothes for the girls but these finances are maxed out too.

In 2020 she was hired as a casual employee but her hours are very minimal and now she is on stress leave because she is having a difficult time coping with this situation and needs to care for her daughters.

Your 100s of Brokers Who Care donation would help immensely and relieve some of the financial burden she is experiencing.

Given these circumstances, the monies provided to her would go along way to help alleviate the current stress that her and her children are facing. It would perhaps help her get back on her feet so that she could work more should some of the family’s every day needs are met.

PROUD TO SUPPORT – NANCY & BRIAN ANDREWS, EASTERN RECIPIENTS 3RD QUARTER 2021

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 20:55:11 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000.00 to Nancy & Brian Andrews, Eastern Recipients of the 3rd Quarter vote, 2021.

Thank you to Emily Miszk for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Brian is a 2 time Cancer warrior. He had brain cancer and fought it off previously. A few clear scans for a few years and now the cancer is back. He has a limited time here now – recently was told he is not treatable. Nancy, his superstar wife, supports him and drives him to and from treatments. They are both retired. Nancy was a stay-at-home military wife. She has 6 grand kids and somehow seems to do it all for her family. One of the little joys she and Brian do together are scratch tickets while waiting for treatment. The treatment Brian is getting now is Chemo, experimental, and Radiation to try and shrink the size of cancer to buy more time and try to limit the pain. Brian does not have much time and Nancy and Brian do not have a bunch of cash to pay for arrangements.

Nancy has to sometimes drive 2-3 hours back and forth because hotels are too expensive and they live in a smaller town with limited resources. This money would make their lives more enjoyable for the weeks/ months that Brian has left.

I know Nancy through her daughter, Nikki. Nikki is a great friend of mine. She has been to Afghanistan and she and her husband both are in the military and support our country in more ways than I can imagine.

Nancy is the foundation of the family and has always supported everyone in her home to do hard things. She is doing this again with Brain as he continues to fight to extend his time with a super aggressive cancer.

PROUD TO SUPPORT – HEIDI & CAM, WESTERN RECIPIENTS FOR 2ND QUARTER 2021

jacksonmiddleton@gmail.com (Jackson Middleton) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 05:48:23 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $9,600.00 to Heidi and Cam, Western Recipients of the 2nd Quarter vote of 2021.

Thank you to Sabeena Bubber for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Heidi is a single mother to 3 kids and she has colorectal cancer. Cam, her 15 year old son, was also diagnosed with a high risk blood cancer, Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia, about a year ago.

Heidi has been in treatment for a few years and is back on chemotherapy now. Cam started treatment a little over a year ago and has completed a stem cell transplant from his sister that required a 3 months stay at BC Children’s Hospital and is hopefully improving! It’s been very hard for Heidi to be undergoing her own chemotherapy and surgeries for her cancer while also being at Cam’s bedside at Children’s while undergoing a painful, difficult, and risky stem cell transplant.

After more than a year of intensive treatments for them both, and Heidi unable to work her normal hours, they are really struggling to afford their transportation to hospital, groceries, and other basic needs. Friends have been helping out but sometimes it’s not enough. It’s heart wrenching to hear her talk about having to put some groceries away at the store when she isn’t able to make ends meet. Even through difficult treatment, Cam has been supporting a little 4 year old girl who is going through the same treatment he is. He is such a sweet kid and the mom is trying so hard to make everything work. They really need a break!

With Mother & Son battling cancer, Heidi needs to care for herself in order to be there for her son and the other children. Putting food on the table for her children is a clear priority but not always possible. They don’t always have the resources to get basic food and sometimes have to wait days to meet their basic needs.

PROUD TO SUPPORT – THE ABRAMS FAMILY, EASTERN RECIPIENT FOR 2ND QUARTER 2021

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 19:45:16 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $8,900 to The Abrams Family, Eastern Recipient of the 2nd Quarter vote of 2021.

Thank you to Stephanie Nash for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

The Abrams family, from the outside, looks like any “Million Dollar Family”. But in early 2019 their world was turned upside down when their son Harrison (now 9) was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive muscle wasting condition. It is a genetic condition that affects approximately 1 in 3500 (almost entirely) boys. Most people with DMD are wheelchair dependent by age 12, and the loss of muscle continues until it eventually weakens the heart and lungs. The median life expectancy is mid twenties and there is currently no cure.

Harrison is incredibly fortunate to so far be progressing very slowly and enjoying relatively good mobility, but he is still disabled and no treatment will reverse that. Stairs are especially difficult, and many features of the Abrams home are not going to be accessible for him long term. He deserves a home that he can enjoy, with few to no barriers. When they bought their fixer upper in the country in 2017, they were prepared to slowly work away at it. They couldn’t have predicted they would need to put their plans to replace leaky windows on hold, in order to install ramps, lifts, widened doorways, and the myriad of other modifications needed to make the home safe for their child.

Due to the pandemic, they’ve experienced some income loss, and yet their modest single income is considered “too high” for much of the funding from the available charities, who are already stretched thin and have extensive waiting lists. They will be using as much of their equity and credit as they can, but it will never be enough. Time is not on their side as they simply can’t predict when Harrison’s mobility needs will change, or when he will require a wheelchair full-time. It’s their sincere hope to have much of the needed work done as soon as possible in preparation for his future needs, as well as to make things easier for him now.

No parents should ever have to watch as their child’s muscles slowly deteriorate and find him confined to a wheelchair before the age of 12. The Abrams family need to make their home safe and accessible for their 9 year old son and they need our help to make it happen.

PROUD TO SUPPORT – THE ORIAL FAMILY RECIPIENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 2021

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:46:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to The Orial Family, Recipient of the 1st Quarter vote of 2021.

Thank you to Luisa Hough for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Dear friends,

On December 2, I went to visit my brother Mark and found him dead in his apartment. It was (of course!) one of those moments in life when everything changes.

Mark has left behind his two daughters, Jaelynn and Skylar, who are 10 and 7 years old. Their mother left the family a few years ago which was tragic, and so now with Mark’s passing, it has destroyed the children. I and my extended family are needing to sort out the care and guardianship of my nieces which is heart wrenching.

With Covid 19 restrictions and family at such a distance, my heart feels as though it’s being wrung through a shredder when remembering my brother and the pain my nieces are going through and them not understanding why both their parents are gone.

I don’t know how to ask for help but I know I have to do this for my nieces and show them the kindness in the world amongst tragedy.

With much gratitude for you,
Marivick (Aunt)

PROUD TO SUPPORT – THE DON REILLY & FAMILY RECIPIENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 2021

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:43:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $4,050 to Don Reilly & Family, Recipient of the 1st Quarter vote of 2021.

Thank you to Frances Hinojosa for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

On October 16th, 2020 at the age of 49, our beloved Don Reilly was given the unimaginable diagnosis of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Him and his family and friends were told an unfair prognosis and sent on their way. Every hope and dream of the future flashed through their minds and they immediately started to mourn all the things that may never be.

This disease is unforgiving. It is a motor neuron disease that gradually robs the person of their life. It was just so hard to believe, so unfair. Don has always been committed to living an active lifestyle. He is an avid cyclist who enjoys a challenge. He loves running, working out, skiing, playing tennis and golf and of course a fierce drummer for the band CROWE that he is a founding member of. He is also the most amazing Dad to his three girls; Katie 19, Lauren 16 and Jocelyn 6. Whether it’s teaching his girls how to ride a bike, downhill ski or to learn how to skate, Don has always been an active Dad with his kids. So, the question that crosses our mind is…..Why?

Which brings us to a story of love, hope and faith. In 2014 Don and his family faced another traumatic moment in their lives when they lost their son William who was stillborn. Even though they were broken by their loss they never gave up hope on one day having a baby. A few months after losing William to their surprise they found out they were expecting. Unfortunately, they were once again faced with the unimaginable, when Carolyn went into preterm labor and on December 24th, 2014 their daughter Jocelyn was born just shy of 25 weeks. Although the doctors gave them some tough odds they refused to give up hope. Over the course of 115 days while their baby fought for her life in the NICU, through brain bleeds, blood transfusions, infections, they never stopped believing that one day they would bring their healthy baby home. Now six years later Jocelyn is perfect in every way.

Anyone who knows Don knows that he is a fighter. Through his stubborn will, focused mind and strong discipline, he intends to do everything in his power to heal his body. REILLY HEALS is our vision for life. We need your help so Don can win this fight against ALS. With the support of his friends and family we’ve created a GoFundMe Campaign REILLY HEALS to help raise the funds required to support Don and Carolyn as they face not only this devastating diagnosis, but the massive financial burden that comes with it. From renovating their home, so Don can safely live there for as long as possible, to purchasing specialized equipment he needs, to accessing current breakthrough medications, the costs are enormous. The need is immediate, as the equipment list is long including walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, ramps, patient transfer lifts, ceiling track systems, straight stair lifts, hospital beds and basic communication devices.

In addition to equipment and caregiving needs Don also needs resources to access the new treatments and trials that are showing encouraging results. In the unlikely event that there are excess funds after these urgent priorities are met, the extra funds will be placed into a Trust Fund to be divided amongst Don’s three daughters and Carolyn.

PROUD TO SUPPORT – THE RUEL FAMILY RECIPIENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 2021

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:40:00 GMT

On behalf of The Ruel Family, THANK YOU for your generosity!!

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $4,050 to The Ruel Family, Recipient of the 1st Quarter vote of 2021.

Thank you to Jodi Whalen for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

On December 30, 2020 Neil and Kristen received the news that no parents want to hear, their baby girl Callie has an inoperable brain stem tumor that has been diagnosed as a Diffuse Intrinsic Potine Gliomas (DIPG) tumor, which is terminal. This form of cancer is very rare, with only 3 other cases diagnosed in Canada in 2020. Callie is the light of their life, so this news is completely unfathomable.

Neil, Kristen and their 3 daughters Zophia, Lilah and Izzy need support so they can all be remain together as a family to support Callie as they navigate future challenges in her journey. The family will require financial assistance to replace lost income, provide immediate financial relief, future medical support for Callie, and counselling support for the family.

A post from her dad really had me tear up reading this.

Another day has come and gone. Sweet Callie had dark bags under her eyes but they still glimmer and shine. She looks up to her “mama” and says with a smile “I tired” followed by her fake but oh so real yawn…

Mom picks Callie up and starts walking her up to bed. I tell her I love her so much and give her a kiss on the forehead. Sometimes she tells me she loves me, sometimes she doesn’t but I know she does. Mom takes her upstairs and calls down to me. “Babe can you bring up her…” tablet, soos or both. I happily run it up and get one more look at my baby girl, give her the item and she always responds “Thank you my dad.” There is and was no better feeling. Mom and I watch through the monitor as little Callie rolls on her side and watches her tablet until she slowly closes her eyes and falls asleep.

Then reality strikes, is this the last time? Will she wake up? How are we all going to survive this loss, the pain, the emptiness that will never go away.

Mom and I look at each other and with a quiet nod we both know what the other is thinking and we start to watch a show or play on our phones to lose ourselves for a brief moment before we tuck the other children in for the night and have to go to bed. The one place neither of us wants to endure because that awful reality awaits us. Hopefully one more day is the phrase that constantly wonders through my mind.

It’s bedtime but I cannot sleep. I lay there aimlessly for hours reading random articles on my phone, checking Facebook, playing games and watching the monitor to make sure Callie is still breathing. Mom slowly falls asleep first as she is utterly exhausted from being awoken numerous times the previous night before finally being up for the day any time between 3:30 and 4:30 in the morning. I continue to lay restlessly and make sure my alarm is set for 6:00am because Mom and I have made it known that if Callie does not wake us up in the morning and suddenly passes away in the night, I chose the responsibility of finding her in the morning. It’s the least I can do for Mom as we both know she would never come back from it.

For the next few hours I contemplate the family’s future. I try to distract myself with copious amounts of planning but it all comes back to how do it fix this? Deep down I know I can’t but it is who I am and not something I can just turn off at a moments notice.

Every night it is the same, funeral, memorial, therapy, counselling, finances, another new normal at home, going back to work, and not just surviving through this myself but being the pillar my family needs to survive this pain. I think we all understand that this will always be a part of us and it isn’t something we will just “get over” in time but what can I do for everyone to move on?

I know it’s not fair but I still cannot wrap my head around knowing that there is a finite amount of time with Callie. It hurts to see her struggle, it hurts to watch her slowly regress and it kills me to know that sooner than later she will not be with me anymore.

That’s when it hits me the hardest. It happens when it’s quiet, it’s dark, everyone is asleep and I am alone with my thoughts. I tear up from this overwhelming guilt that it is her and not me, I tear up from joy remembering all of her cute little sayings and quirks and I tear up from sadness because I am going to miss her so much.

The fatigue from this different type of stress wears me out and places a heavy weight on my eyes. As strong as I think I am, I cannot fight falling asleep forever. I hope and pray it isn’t the last night but eventually concede that I cannot control this fate. Slowly I fall asleep hoping my alarm doesn’t wake me up first, hoping I hear a giggle, a scream, a cry, anything from Callie because then I get one more day. How long will this groundhog’s day continue? Every night I ask for one more day.

PROUD TO SUPPORT – CHARMAINE SCHERCK RECIPIENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 2021

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:38:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $4,050 to Charmaine Scherck, Recipient of the 1st Quarter vote of 2021.

Thank you to Marci Deane and Mary Grace Tatangelo for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story

Charmaine is one of the most beautiful, loving and caring souls you will ever meet or know. She is also a well-known Mortgage Broker and owner of The Mortgage Centre located in Vernon, BC.

On Sept 17th, Charmaine suffered a spinal cord stroke, which had left her paralyzed from the chest down.

She awoke that morning and was getting ready for work when she started experiencing heart attack like symptoms. She asked her partner Jason to take her to the hospital right away (which turns out was the smartest thing she could have done as she could have likely sustained more damage had she not been treated right away).

All doctors have told her that she is a bit of a mystery as to why this has happened. At this point, they have confirmed Charmaine suffered a Spinal Cord stroke and she has also been diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome (which is an autoimmune disease where your body can essentially attack itself). Charmaine is currently being overlooked by a team of specialists who are looking at her case.

She just underwent a mouth biopsy this past week to see if she may have Sjodrens a rare disease. With multiple other tests that have ruled out negative.

Charmaine continues daily to work against the paralysis by doing rehab two times a day. Her strength and positivity is truly an inspiration. She is adamant she will walk again soon.

At the start of this journey, Charmaine was unable to move her lower extremity at all. She has been completely dedicated to the recovery of her legs and since has regained some movement on her right side. She has a long journey ahead of her with ongoing rehab and learning to walk again.

Along with all of this has come some financial pressure. Her home will have to be modified to accommodate a wheel chair and other modifications so that she can move and manage her daily activities. She also needs to focus more on her health and less on her mortgage business (which is hard for her as she truly loves everything about the business). All of this brings financial pressure and stress for Charmaine and her family and I know they could really use our support.

Our main goal is to help pay for some work to her home so she can stay there and continue more extensive rehab close to her family, friends and her community.

Anyone who knows Charmaine well, knows she is a beautiful, spiritual soul that gives in any way she can to her community in Vernon. She has had an essential care team in Vernon (Friends) who have spent countless hours on providing meals to her and Jason to ensure she is eating excellent food to help her heal.

She is truly overwhelmed by the support and love of everyone around her supporting her through this. Our hope is that 100 Brokers Who Care can help boost the financial aid she needs and in a small way relieve some of the immediate pressure and stress for Charmaine and her family.

PROUD TO SUPPORT MANDI DRAPER & CHILDREN – RECIPIENT FOR 4TH QUARTER 2020

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 21:43:00 GMT

Photo and Videos of Mandi Draper & Family receiving cheque from Chantal Driscoll

PROUD TO SUPPORT ALAIN & CHRISSY LEPINE – RECIPIENT FOR 4TH QUARTER 2020

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 22:15:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,150 to Alain & Chrissy LePine, Recipient of the 4th Quarter vote of 2020.

In early November, Alain and Chrissy along with their 5 sons watched as their farm building burned to the ground. The LePine’s own Island of Eden Farms, a microgreen farm in Courtenay BC. And while typically tragedies like this are covered by insurance, their landlord didn’t have insurance in place and the LePine’s lost everything including business equipment and a considerable amount of personal belongings. Worse yet, in the days immediately following the fire, they had to spend thousands of dollars just to reconnect power to the house they live in. There is a GoFundMe page set up which has helped cover the cost of reconnecting the power, but further support will be required as they try to rebuild their business and provide for their family.

These are good people experiencing very tough times. Having already seen a considerable reduction in income due to COVID-19, this fire has devastated them financially. 100Brokers is the perfect platform to support people in this type of situation.

Thank you to Jackson Middleton for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
In early November, Alain and Chrissy along with their 5 sons watched as their farm building burned to the ground. The LePine’s own Island of Eden Farms, a microgreen farm in Courtenay BC. And while typically tragedies like this are covered by insurance, their landlord didn’t have insurance in place and the LePine’s lost everything including business equipment and a considerable amount of personal belongings. Worse yet, in the days immediately following the fire, they had to spend thousands of dollars just to reconnect power to the house they live in. There is a GoFund Me page set up which has helped cover the cost of reconnecting the power, but further support will be required as they try to rebuild their business and provide for their family. These are good people experiencing very tough times. Having already seen a considerable reduction in income due to COVID-19, this fire has devastated them financially. 100Brokers is the perfect platform to support people in this type of situation. Thanks for your consideration.

This is a loving farm family with 5 boys who have lost everything in a fire. Without insurance, they have been devastated and will need to rely on the kindness of others to rebuild their lives. Hoping 100Brokers Who Care can step up and contribute to rebuilding their life.

PROUD TO SUPPORT WALKER HOPSON-OKRAINETZ – RECIPIENT FOR 4TH QUARTER 2020

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 22:10:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,150 to Walker Hopson-Okrainetz, Recipient of the 4th Quarter vote of 2020.

Walker was born on July 25, 2020 at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops via emergency C-section. He had to be resuscitated at birth and was flown to BC Children’s Hospital immediately. He has a rare undiagnosed condition never seen before in the medical field and has undergone 3 surgeries before turning 3 months old.

Walker’s ribs are fused, missing or deformed, which causes one lung to be smaller and constricted. As a result of his rib deformation, he developed scoliosis in his spine and has an S shaped spine. He has a perforated anus (missing) that needs to be restructured in surgery. He had to undergo a colostomy surgery in his first week of life and has a bag on his stomach. Walker also has only one kidney. His ‘plumbing’ is all incorrect. His colon attaches to his urinary tract and his urinary tract connects to his small stoma. He will have to endure another surgery within the next few months. Walker has a g-tube in his stomach for feeding as well.

Walker is only 4 months old, is fighting the fight of his life and will continue for many months. He has at least 3 more surgeries to endure which take him and his family away from their home and loved ones. If you would like to follow Walker’s journey there has been a Facebook page created, and the family will post updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/677942729738088/?ref=share . A GoFundMe page has also been set up.

Thank you to Lana Russell for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
Walker was born on July 25, 2020 at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops via emergency C-section. He had to be resuscitated at birth and was flown to BC Children’s Hospital immediately. His Mom, Shanine, was not able to join him until the next day and Myles, his Dad, was in Alberta working, so he rushed to be by their side.

Walker has a rare undiagnosed condition never seen before in the medical field. It was all a surprise to their family as they have another little one, Ridge, who will be 2 years old on November 30th, and is perfectly healthy. Walker’s ribs are fused, missing or deformed, which causes one lung to be smaller and constricted. As a result of his rib deformation, he developed scoliosis in his spine and has an S shaped spine. He has a perforated anus (missing) that needs to be restructured in surgery. He had to undergo a colostomy surgery in his first week of life and has a bag on his stomach. Walker also has only one kidney. His ‘plumbing’ is all incorrect. His colon attaches to his urinary tract and his urinary tract connects to his small stoma. He will have to endure another surgery within the next few months. Walker has a g-tube in his stomach for feeding as well. By the time Walker was 3 months old, he had already undergone 3 surgeries.

Walker came home November 23, 2020 and will be home for 3 months and then he will have a significant rib surgery where they put in magnetic rods to expand his ribs to allow him to breathe better. Once that goes well, he will endure another surgery to fix the urinary tract and anus. Once he heals from those surgeries, the doctors will complete yet another to reverse his colostomy. All of these surgeries take place in Vancouver, so each surgery and recovery displaces them and their 2 year old son Ridge, from their home and family. Shanine and Myles are mentally, physically, emotionally and financially drained. Myles is gone for 3 weeks at a time to work in Alberta, so that is also a challenge.

If you would like to follow Walker’s journey there has been a Facebook page created, and the family will post updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/677942729738088/?ref=share

PROUD TO SUPPORT LUCY VAN KENDALL & FAMILY – RECIPIENT FOR 3RD QUARTER 2020

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 19:57:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Lucy Van Kendall & Family Recipient of the 3rd Quarter vote of 2020.

“Thank you so much for thinking of us and submitting our family for the 100 Brokers Who Care grant. It was a wave of positivity and support that we needed. It’s been incredibly challenging fighting through this and knowing that a group of complete strangers had a group discussion & selected us means so much. Please pass our love to the rest of the team!”

Lucy was born in April 2020 and diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) 5 weeks later. SMA is a genetic disease affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and voluntary muscle movement (skeletal muscle). Most of the nerve cells that control muscles are located in the spinal cord, which accounts for the word spinal in the name of the disease. Her life expectancy is 2 years without treatment.

Lucy is a good candidate to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment for SMA called Zolgensma which could save Lucy’s life. This will NOT cure her, but it will hopefully replace 40-60% of the missing gene and allow Lucy to live, but there will be many costs for them for the long term, from wheelchairs, to treatments, nurses, care, help, and more. I am hoping that this $10k can help them with all the extra costs.

Thank you to Laura MacCormack for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
The “Van Kendalls” – Laura, Scott, Sullivan (2017) & Lucy (2020). They live in Vancouver and they are my clients.

In 2015, they got married and started their family in 2017. Lucy was born in April 2020 and they found out 5 weeks after she was born that Lucy has SMA. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease affecting the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and voluntary muscle movement (skeletal muscle). Most of the nerve cells that control muscles are located in the spinal cord, which accounts for the word spinal in the name of the disease. Her life expectancy is 2 years without treatment.

Lucy is a good candidate to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment for SMA called Zolgensma. Zolgensma could save Lucy’s life. They started a fundraiser and Lucy is getting the treatment in September. But this will NOT cure her, it will hopefully replace 40-60% of the missing gene and allow Lucy to live, but there will be many costs for them for the long term, from wheelchairs, to treatments, nurses, care, help, and more. I am hoping that this $10k can help them with all the extra costs.

Currently they are living in a small 2 bedroom apartment, with 2 kids, and nurses there on rotation and Scott working from home for his job to keep the family going financially (working from the kitchen, as Lucy sleeps in the living room as they need the space for all the machines required for breathing at night, feeding through a tube, etc).

Lucy will need a lot of care for the rest of her life.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MELLIOS FAMILY – RECIPIENT FOR 3RD QUARTER 2020

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 19:55:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $2,700 to The Mellios Family, Recipient of the 3rd Quarter vote of 2020.

We have been introduced to a loving family who reside in Surrey, BC. Mom and Dad own a home along with dad’s parents as to provide the best care for their 12 year old daughter/granddaughter. The daughter, unfortunately, lives with a rare brain disorder. Her condition bounds her to a wheelchair and requires around-the-clock care. The father has taken the role as his daughter’s full-time caregiver and therefore does not earn an income. In order to make-up for the loss of income, the mother works full-time plus as much overtime as she can earn. I would like to also mention that the mother is a Registered Nurse for the Intensive Care Unit at a lower mainland hospital. She works around the clock to support the family but misses her daughter dearly as she spends more time at the hospital than at home.

We would like to nominate this local family to 100 Brokers Who Care. We believe that donations provided by our mortgage broker community will have a significant impact on the family and help to alleviate some stress. We want them to have the ability to focus on caring and loving their daughter rather than losing sleep worrying about unpaid bills or the cost of upcoming medical related expenses.

Thank you to Jared Dreyer for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
As discussed, we have a family who could really use help from the mortgage broker community. I am going to refrain from using names at this time but I’m sure the family would be okay to come forward if they were lucky enough to be selected.

In speaking with the mother, it was immediately evident that she/they do not want to be seen as victims. In the words of the mother, they were dealt a difficult hand but accept the responsibility and duty to do the best they can for their daughter and for the family as a whole.

Unfortunately, they have incurred an exorbitant amount of expenses related to the daughter’s worsening condition. They have invested tens of thousands of dollars into retrofitting the home, purchasing new medical equipment, buying medications, and paying for after surgery expenses not covered by the province.

This is a family that has had to incur so many expenses, changes to their lives and sacrificed as I think many of us would for our children.

PROUD TO SUPPORT KOLBI FRASER & FAMILY – RECIPIENT FOR 3RD QUARTER 2020

Sat, 19 Sep 2020 19:51:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $2,700 to Kolbi Fraser & Family, Recipient of the 3rd Quarter vote of 2020.

Kolbi has been fighting a harrowing battle in his short life with childhood cancer.

Just a short time into Kindergarten the family was told that the cancer was back again for a 3rd time and Kolbi would be facing a big battle. After beating cancer twice previously, Kolbi was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma which is a cancer that effects his spine and brain. The family was told, that this time, his diagnosis was inoperable and incurable. Kolbi would not win this battle. As his illness progressed, Kolbi became wheelchair bound, paralyzed from the waist down but he held on to his bright brilliant smile. He was a brave warrior! In his sleep, on August 17, 2020 Kolbi peacefully passed away. Heaven gained an angel and Kolbi will shine down on us.

The enormous grief this family is experiencing and with employment and financial uncertainty and 4 other children to care for – this family needs a shimmer of light to help them through.

Thank you to Jennifer Schill for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
Written By Melissa Graham:
My family had the honour of meeting a brave little boy over two years ago. His name was Kolbi and he became a quick kindergarten buddy to my son, at Pacific Heights Elementary in Surrey BC.

It was at Kolbi’s birthday party that we learned of the harrowing battle he had already faced in his short life with childhood cancer. We were immediately impacted by the love and strength Kolbi was surrounded with and the resilience he displayed.

Just a short time into Kindergarten the family would be told that cancer was back again for a 3rd time and Kolbi would be facing a big battle. After beating cancer twice previously, while in Kindergarten, Kolbi was diagnosed with Anaplastic Ependymoma which is a cancer that effects his spine and brain. The family was told, that this time, his diagnosis was inoperable and incurable. Kolbi would not win this battle. As his illness progressed, Kolbi became wheelchair bound, paralyzed from the waist down but he held on to his bright brilliant smile. He was a brave warrior!

Fast forward to Summer 2020 and Kobli, who was only 7 years old had fought a long and hard battle but began to deteriorate. The family’s focus shifted to managing an increase in his pain and making Kolbi comfortable as he began to experience an increase in seizures, temporary loss of speech, declines in his cognitive health, debilitating headaches and discomfort.

All the while, like so many families, Nick & Jamey had been impacted by COVID forced employment changes and COVID forced changes to Kolbi’s access to medical therapies and hospice nurses. Plus Nick’s medical EI, to be off work to care for Kolbi, had expired earlier in the Summer. They never wavered in their love & determination to care for Kolbi and give him the best they could, along with their 4 other kids as a cohesive and beautifully blended family.

In his sleep, on August 17, 2020 Kolbi peacefully passed away. Heaven gained an angel and Kolbi will shine down on us.

The enormous grief this family is experiencing and with employment and financial uncertainty and 4 other children to care for – this family needs a shimmer of light to help them through. This money would be just that.

PROUD TO SUPPORT KEVIN BAY & FAMILY – RECIPIENT FOR 2ND QUARTER 2020

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 04:08:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Kevin Bay & Family, Recipient of the 2nd Quarter vote of 2020.

Kevin Bay is a well known and respected Mortgage Broker from Langley, BC. Recently The Bay family was thrown into the fight of their life when their dad, Kevin Bay, was injured during a recreational hockey game. During the game, Kevin was involved in a collision causing a torn carotid artery which triggered a catastrophic stroke, nearly killing him and ultimately paralyzing Kevin on his entire left side.

This freak accident has created financial hardship for his family and one small way that the Broker Community can help one of our own is to assist with the financial costs to help bring Kevin home.

Thank you to Marci Deane for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:
Kevin Bay is a well known and respected Mortgage Broker from Langley, BC. Recently The Bay family was thrown into the fight of their life when their dad, Kevin Bay, was injured during a recreational hockey game. During the game, Kevin was involved in a collision causing a torn carotid artery which triggered a catastrophic stroke, nearly killing him and ultimately paralyzing Kevin on his entire left side.

Kevin and his wife Jacqueline are parents to 5, grandparents to 3 and Kevin is the family’s chief bread winner. Kevin has been recovering in hospital and long term care since December 2019 and the family is hoping to bring him home in early June 2020. Still unable to walk, and wheelchair bound there are a number of adjustments that must happen to the Bay family home before Kevin can return to them.

A group of friends and a local Langley Charity is helping the Bay family in their desire to bring their dad and husband back home. During the month of May, a team of dedicated and skilled tradesmen and women have been donating their skills, talents and time to help make this dream a reality. This team of volunteers will help to reconfigure the main floor space in the Bay home so that Kevin will have a wheelchair accessible bedroom and bathroom as well as a wheel chair accessible exterior approach to his home. Although local trades are donating their time, the material costs will total over $15,000 to complete the renovation.

The Bay family needs our help to pay for this renovation work and to contribute to the overall care costs for their Dad.

Kevin Bay has been a Mortgage Broker for many years and is a well-respected member of our community. This freak accident has created financial hardship for his family and one small way that the Broker Community can help one of our own is to assist with the financial costs to help bring Kevin home.

PROUD TO SUPPORT SIMONNE DURETTE – RECIPIENT FOR 2ND QUARTER 2020

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 03:57:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $2,500 to Simonne Durette, Recipient of the 2nd Quarter vote of 2020.

Originally born in Manitoba, Simonne Durette is a First Nations young woman who was raised in foster care, and by family members. Sadly, her Mother was not capable of parenting her due to drug and alcohol addiction. Simonne has taken care of her grandmother, who has dementia, every day for the past 13 years, giving up many adolescent activities out of love for the one person she feels deeply bonded with. Simonne was diagnosed with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) as a child and struggled with learning throughout elementary and high school, alongside dealing with many traumas. And yet, she overcame these obstacles graduating from high school when she was 18.

Simonne has struggled with FAS & many major traumas throughout her life, being abandoned by her Mom, and living in foster care. Going to college to study animation is her dream yet she does not have the financial resources to achieve this dream.

Thank you to Laura MacCormack for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
Simonne and I met when she was just 9 years old through Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland mentor program. Originally born in Manitoba, she is a First Nations young woman who was raised in foster care, and by family members. Sadly, her Mother was not capable of parenting her due to drug and alcohol addiction. She took care of her grandmother, who has dementia, every day for the past 13 years, giving up many adolescent activities out of love for the one person she feels deeply bonded with. Simonne was diagnosed with FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) as a child and struggled with learning throughout elementary and high school, alongside dealing with many traumas. And yet, she overcame these obstacles graduating from high school when she was 18.

She is now 22 years old and just moved out on her own for the very first time. With everything she was dealt in life, she could have gone down a very different path but Simonne has a beautiful heart and generous spirit, she continues to grow and learn every day. An incredible artist she dreams of going to art school to study animation and have a career in this field. She would be the first person in her family to go to college and it would be an incredible accomplishment. Unfortunately, Simonne does not have the support of her First Nations band financially as she has grown up in BC and her band is through her father who she does not know. She has no financial support to go to school and is currently on government disability assistance. This award would encourage her to take the next big step in her growth and realize her dreams. I am determined to see her life turn around and for her to have the opportunities so many of us take for granted.

Simonne is my Little Sister in the Big Sister program. She has struggled with FAS & many major traumas throughout her life, being abandoned by her Mom, and living in foster care. Going to college to study animation is her dream yet she does not have the financial resources to achieve this dream.

PROUD TO SUPPORT JULIA DAWSON & FAMILY – RECIPIENT FOR 2ND QUARTER 2020

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 03:45:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $2,500 to Julia Dawson & Family, Recipient of the 2nd Quarter vote of 2020.

Julia Dawson was an active 7 year old until she was diagnosed with Leukemia, a cancer of the blood, in 2015, just after her 8th birthday. When Julia was finally finished treatment in 2017, the Dawson family thought their cancer journey was behind them.

Julia is an amazingly supportive 13 year old young lady to her fellow cancer patient friends and nurses at Children’s Hospital. This is her second bought with this nasty disease. Let’s help to contribute and show the Dawson family what support from 100 Brokers Who Care is all about!

Thank you to Lana Russell for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story:
Julia Dawson was an active 7 year old, loving soccer, camping trips and always climbing trees with her friends until she was diagnosed with Leukemia, a cancer of the blood, in 2015, just after her 8th birthday. The Dawson family was supported by fundraisers, family and friends through the rough first 8 months of treatment with mother, Rachel, taking a leave from work to be with and support Julia. When Julia was finally finished treatment in 2017, the Dawson family thought their cancer journey was behind them and settled into their ‘new normal’, thinking and praying that there was nothing but good health and time ahead of them.

Sadly, Julia relapsed in November of 2019. While most girls her age were celebrating their 13th birthdays, exploring makeup and flirting with boys, Julia was having surgeries, non stop chemotherapy and blood transfusions. This time, the family’s financial need is greater than ever. Having leaned on family and friends during the first diagnosis, they don’t want to ask too much of them the second time around. Mother, Rachel, has taken another leave from her work as an Associate Director at Simon Fraser University, without any certainty of the impact this will have on her career or possibilities of returning to the same position when Julia’s treatment is complete. This pandemic, which is another “C” word that I don’t want to name, has thrown another wrench into the family’s financial well being and stress as Julia’s father, Andrew, receives primarily a commission based income with a small aerial survey mapping company and has had a significant decrease in income.

What they do know is that, at this time, they need to be there for Julia and their family. The Dawson family is thankful for any support that can keep them going and keep their two daughters happy and positive during this very difficult and trying time. Let’s help to contribute and show the Dawson family what support from 100 Brokers Who Care is all about!

PROUD TO SUPPORT SAVING SAVANNA – RECIPIENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 2020

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:23:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Saving Savanna, Recipient of the 1st Quarter vote of 2020.

Savanna was born on April 11, 2018. She is beautiful, sassy, spirited, warm, loving, funny, challenging and strong willed.

Savanna is a little girl who went from “normal” to “stage 4 Neuroblastoma cancer”. She is fighting the fight of her life at the tender age of 22 months. Her parents want to comfort her and spend as much time with her as they can.

Thank you to Lana Russell for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
Monday, January 13, 2020, Savanna’s parents noticed that her tummy was distended a little to the left, which seemed a bit off, but she was playful and happy, so they were not too worried. She had a history of irregular bowel movements. Tuesday she had been out with her daddy and her brother’s for what was a normal day for her, but post nap her tummy was clearly bothering her. Savanna slept a little extra Wednesday morning. When she got up she was walking a little funny and still bloated to the left, so off to the doctor’s office they went.

The doctor felt and listened to her tummy and thought, similar to her parents, that it could be a bowel obstruction? Her bowels seemed slow moving, so off to pediatrics at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge Savanna was sent for an x-ray, blood work and possibly an enema. The x-ray returned and it was not an obstruction, but there was clearly a mass. The blood work came back with signs of swelling and low hemoglobin so they were sent to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver that same day by ambulance.

After tests were complete at BC Children’s Hospital, Savanna was seen by a team from oncology. They explained to the family that although there was a chance something else was causing this mass, it was almost always a tumor. They did more x-rays and a CT Scan. On Thursday, January 16, 2020, they confirmed that it was cancer. The next testing stages were a little more invasive. Monday, January 20, 2020 Savanna had a surgical biopsy, and a CVC line was put into her chest so she wouldn’t need an IV in her arm. This would give doctors the access that they needed with as little intrusiveness as possible. She also had a bone marrow extraction.

Savanna has been diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma. She is a little girl fighting the fight of her life at the tender age of 22 months. Her Mom and Dad are there fighting right alongside her, but to do that they are missing work, which, of course pays for everyday expenses, let alone extraordinary expenses. Any help that we could offer to their family right now would help to alleviate other burdens and allow them to focus on the health and life of their little girl.

PROUD TO SUPPORT TODD PACHAUER – RECIPIENT FOR 1ST QUARTER 2020

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:21:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $2,000 to Todd Pachauer & Family, Recipient of the 1st Quarter vote of 2020.

Julie Anne Pachauer was born March 31,1977 and passed away April 24, 2019. She is survived by her husband Todd Pachauer and 3 young sons, Walton, Newton and Edison ( 7, 5 and 3). Her unwavering grace & Todd’s amazing dedication to her helped them to cope with the terminal diagnosis that she received, which was ALS.

Thank you to Lana Russell for bringing this Cause to our attention.

Nomination Story
Julie Anne Pachauer was born March 31,1977 and passed away April 24, 2019. She is survived by her husband Todd Pachauer and 3 young sons, Walton, Newton and Edison ( 7, 5 and 3). Julie was a talented artist who worked in the movie industry creating 3D props for films. Her name is in the credits for Cabin In The Woods (Horror movie) and many TV series. Her attention to detail was outstanding.

Her unwavering grace & Todd’s amazing dedication to her helped them to cope with the terminal diagnosis that she received, which was ALS. Todd had to close his successful jewelry store to stay at home and look after Julie as well as care of their 3 growing boys.

Todd’s parents have since moved into the family home to help out with the boys and to give Todd some relief.

Please see Julie’s obituary.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE ROBICHAUD FAMILY – RECIPIENT FOR 3RD QUARTER 2019

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 23:17:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to the Robichaud Family, our Recipient of the 3rd Quarter vote of 2019.

While still on the tail end of a brain tumour battle for young Brielle, Mama Trish now faces a battle against her own breast cancer journey.

I was able to explain to the kids that there were this group of people who help families with home financing that wanted to come together to be able to bless a family in need. We knew that their family had been through so much and that they could use just a little bit of an extra blessing to help make it through.

The money for them is going to mean the ability to make the next few months of mortgage payments while Trish recovers from her chemo.

As I mentioned before, Nick had been struggling with the idea of whether to stay at his long term job, which gave the ability to be home every night, attend medical appointments with the family, etc, or whether he would need to look for something in the oilfield to compensate for the lack of household income with Trish being sick. Their family has a strong Christian faith and he reports that God told him to stay the course, be there for his family physically and emotionally, and He (the big man above) would take care of the financial. Our group has been an answer to prayer and the hands and feet on this earth to do miracles in people’s lives.

They thank us very much for the selfless act of giving to help their family in this time of need.

Thank you Sabeena for spearheading this group and being a channel of blessing for families such as this. May you in turn be blessed.”

Nomination Story
A family battling against all odds. In January 2015, 3 year old Brielle Robichaud was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Emergency surgery was performed to attempt to remove the tumour, but the doctors could not get all of it, as it was too close to the hyperthalamus. Bri underwent a year and a half of chemo until the young age of 5. The tumour is still present and the family goes for regular checkups and MRI’s every three months to monitor it’s development. During this time, life goes on and the family tries to cope with the medical expenses and the multiple days off and trips to the hospital. The Robichaud’s welcomed a new baby to the family, making them a beautiful family of 6.

As Mama Trish was getting ready to celebrate her 40th birthday, a routine breast examine found a lump and another battle began. The biopsy came back as positive for breast cancer, which had also spread to the lymph nodes. They took immediate action and started chemotherapy. Trish lost all of her beautiful blond hair, but has been blessed with a wig to face her days. She has a double mastectomy scheduled, followed by an intense period of radiation. Looking for assistance to help this family out with their next battle.

Thank you to Angela Epp for bringing this Cause to our attention.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE CHARLEMAGNE FAMILY – RECIPIENT FOR 3RD QUARTER 2019

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 23:15:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $1,900 to The Charlemagne Family, our Recipient for the 3rd Quarter vote of 2019.

Nomination Story
Yves was a member of our very own Broker Community. He was a well liked, loved actually, Mortgage Broker based in Oakville, Ontario who had an easy smile and a genuine concern for the well being of everyone around him. “Although I’d only met him a handful of times he had an impact on me” says Dustan Woodhouse.

He was a genuine nice guy and left behind are his two children and wife and due to the nature of this passing, any life insurance may be in question.

Yves passed away, a victim of suicide. Something we blessedly find difficult to accept or understand. All any of us can ask is that we never do truly understand beyond the simple fact that it’s the result of an ailment like any other affecting an organ unlike any other.

Thank you to Dustan Woodhouse for bringing this Cause to our attention.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE GLOVER FAMILY – Recipient for 2nd Quarter 2019

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 17:18:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to the Glover Family, our Recipient for the 2nd Quarter vote of 2019.

“This gift means the world to our family. It helps ease some of the financial pressure so that we can focus on John’s return to health. We are so grateful and would like to thank the whole 100 Brokers That Care team from the bottom of our hearts.” – Andrea Glover

The Glover family is a hard-working family of five residing on 120 acres about 20 minutes west of Nanton, Alberta. John and Andrea are both self employed. John is a framer and Andrea, a mortgage broker since 2008, is licensed with a brokerage in High River. John has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer. With no guarantees of success of the treatments, the outcome of his illness, nor an end in sight for their financial struggles they need help.

Nomination Story:
The Glover family is a hard-working family of five residing on 120 acres about 20 minutes west of Nanton, Alberta. Nanton is a rural ranching / farming community located 100 kms south of Calgary with a population of approximately 2100 people.

The family unit consists of John (51), Andrea (46), their three daughters; Kalyn (17), Keeley (15), True (12), two dogs, four cats and five ranch horses.

This spring the normally energetic and physically strong John was not feeling well, he felt weak and his energy level had dropped significantly. This was very out of the norm and cause for great concern, so he went for a check-up. He was immediately sent to the hospital in High River where the doctors performed a myriad of tests and found FOUR significant tumours on his pancreas. In early May John was diagnosed Stage 3 Pancreatic Cancer that required aggressive treatment and surgery. Before surgery would be possible John would have to undergo months of intensive chemotherapy to shrink the tumours. He is currently in the midst of this treatment which is occurs every week (Monday to Wednesday – three consecutive days) for three months. Upon completion of these treatments his oncologists will perform another scan to determine how much progress has been made. With any luck the tumours will have shrunk to a size where surgery can be performed. He and his family have a very long road ahead!

Current treatments take place at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, a two-hour drive from home. The Glovers hope to have future treatments performed closer to home, in High River which is just under an hour of travel from their home. It is an expensive and timely trek to and from Foothills Hospital and the travel alone takes a huge toll on John.

John and Andrea are both self employed. John is a framer and Andrea, a mortgage broker since 2008, is licensed with a brokerage in High River.

As we know very well, the Alberta economy has been extremely poor over the past number years, especially in the construction, real estate and mortgage financing industries, which has already put significant financial strain on the Glover family’s finances. They were ‘just’ getting by and John’s illness has made an even further immediate, negative and significant financial impact. As a framer, John’s job is very physically and mentally demanding and he is unable to work. He will not be able to do so for the unforeseeable future.

Andrea has had to step back from her mortgage business to take care of John and their children. They now have no income coming in and are living off of the balance of small savings (eroded from many years of a depressed economy) and the help of their local community and family. The Glover’s invested in accident insurance for John in the event he was injured at work however it does not apply in current circumstances.

Along with the traditional chemotherapy treatments, John is also receiving naturopathic treatments at a cost over $2000 per month which is not covered by Alberta Health. Other medications are for pain management and anti nausea (caused by the chemotherapy).

They have a bi-weekly mortgage payment ($984 bi-weekly), two vehicle payments for work truck and family car ($1,654), property taxes ($4,000 per year), daily living expenses then of course all everything that comes with three teenagers. They live a humble, non-extravagant lifestyle but the pennies add up and they have cut back in every way they can. The thought of selling their family home is devastating and a last resort but they will do whatever they have to do.

John and Andrea’s passion is for their family, their 3 amazing daughters and their rural / ranching way of life. Their girls participate in high school rodeos and enter local rodeos over the summer. They travel to these rodeos together as a family and are so proud of their girls amazing achievements. John and Andrea are dedicated volunteers at their local rodeos and have served on the board of the Alberta High School Rodeo Association. They have been doing whatever they can to keep the girls going down the rodeo road, allowing them to live out their dreams as teenagers should.

The girls are extremely hardworking and fully understand the family’s current situation. They are scared but also brave and realistic. Their two oldest daughters have obtained part-time jobs to help out with family expenses and rodeo costs (should they be able to attend) and they are all fully responsible for the chores and care around their property. Living in a small community does not offer them many opportunities to make extra money with part time jobs but they have stepped up and are doing their very best. The community is rallying around the Glover’s by helping with their daughters, but the financial burdens are truly too much to bear.

With no guarantees of the success of the treatments, the eventual outcome of John’s illness, nor an end of their struggles in sight they need help and they need help now.

Andrea is one of our own. Part of our mortgage industry family. The words that come to mind are “it takes a village” and at this time I hope we can rely on the kindness and generosity of our industry village to help them. This is exactly what ‘100 Brokers Who Care’ is all about.

Thank you to Hali Noble for bringing this Cause to our attention.

PROUD TO SUPPORT TEAM ELLA – Recipient for 2nd Quarter 2019

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 18:30:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $1,500 to Team Ella, our Recipient for the 2nd Quarter vote of 2019.

Ella was diagnosed with Leukemia on Thanksgiving Day when she was 2, it was heartbreaking then and still is. The financial burden on parents Alyssa & Dustin during this time has been vast. They were told this is curable but they need to stay on a strict plan. One wrong illness could cost Ella her life. Due to Ella having no immune system they have to live in a bubble which means Alyssa cannot work and stays at home as Ella’s primary care giver.

Nomination Story:
3 year old Ella was diagnosed with Leukemia on Thanksgiving Day. The financial burden on her parents Alyssa Mucha and Dustin Mucha during this time has been vast. Alyssa is a Care Aid and usually works in a nursing home, due to Ella having no immune system they have to live in a bubble. Ella is in and out of Children’s hospital for Chemo as well as fever watch when she is showing signs of a sickness. Her mother Alyssa is her primary care giver and her ‘EI’ will stop in September leaving her with virtually no income.

When Ella was first diagnosed she was 2, it was heartbreaking and still is. They were told this is curable but they need to stay on a strict plan and 1 wrong illness could cost Ella her life. For this reason Alyssa cannot work and stays at home with Ella. They were told it wold cost 30k to 60k by the time she would beat it, they never believed that and thought that sounded like a lot but they are not even a year in and have already surpassed 30k in debt. They have a go fund me going which they planned on using to take Ella to Disneyland when she was better but they have had to use all of that on gas, car maintenance, and mortgage payments due to Alyssa making bare minimum. She now faces the challenge that she will be cut off of her EI and she cannot risk having someone else come into the home to take care of Ella as one simple cough could be detrimental.

If she were to receive a 10k donation that would cover her loss of EI through at least 7 months and get them to the year and a half point. She was told that she is to be on Chemo for 2.5 years total. Ella is the sweetest little girl and having her mom take care of her is literally the BEST case scenario to give her the greatest chance to beat this.

In the little spare time Alyssa has she is constantly educating and trying to raise money for Children’s Cancer Research as the drugs were never designed for kids to beat it. On top of the stress of a sick child she is trying to help other sick children as well. She uses the time spent at home to the fullest. She even puts craft baskets together to give to the kids who are on the oncology ward fighting for their life to make their day a little bit better. Her effort is endless.

Thank you to Jessica Labonte for bringing this Cause to our attention.

PROUD TO SUPPORT OUR 1ST QUARTER RECIPIENT

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 22:04:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,500 to our 1 st Quarter Recipient of 2019.

Our recipient is a single mother who is raising and homeschooling her son. She was recently diagnosed with cancer and had to stop working as she was unable to walk. As a result of the cancer treatments, she has struggled to manage daily activities, let alone being able to work. It is important that she is able to focus on healing so she can be here to raise her son. She is a huge community supporter and positive person.

We were able to present the cheque to her earlier this Spring. Our Board Member who met with this recipient was deeply moved by her strength and resilience during this very difficult time. The 100 Brokers Donation has gone to another great cause and our winner, as well as her young son, were touched, surprised and beyond grateful for our generosity.

Thank you to Laura MacCormack for bringing this Cause to our attention and thanks to everyone who nominated a Cause in the 1st Quarter, we had so many great options to choose from.

PROUD TO SUPPORT EDDIE SANDOVAL & FAMILY

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 19:28:00 GMT

100Brokers members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Eddie Sandoval and his family.

Kelly Sandoval sacrificed her life selflessly to ensure the safety of her child. She heroically threw herself in harm’s way and prevented their youngest son from being struck by a rampaging pickup truck.

Nomination Story:
You may have read the headlines about my good friend Eddie Sandoval’s beloved wife Kelly. She heroically threw herself in harm’s way. She prevented their youngest son from being struck by a rampaging pickup.

“A mother of four boys has died after she was hit by a truck during a rampage in Maple Ridge on February 1st, 2018” . . . . . “The incident unfolded when police received a call about a black Dodge pickup truck near the McDonald’s at about 3pm.”

Sadly, Kelly died of complications from the accident. Their boys (ages 5, 10, 13 and 16) and Eddie miss her very much. Kelly was Eddie’s best friend, the love of his life and his business partner. He couldn’t have found a more loving and caring mother for their boys.

Eddie faces some daunting tasks ahead. He’s juggling to keep the boys engaged in their activities, while trying to manage his business alone. The two months that Kelly was fighting to regain her health, produced medical expenses and caused Eddie’s absence from their business. Eddie spends less time on the business and has to hire out for office administration. He also now has childcare costs for his younger boys.

The school-aged boys are dedicated honour students and great athletes! With your generous help, Eddie is determined to keep the boys focused on the path that Kelly and he proudly set them on.

As an independent man, it has taken much for Eddie to ask for help. However, the family truly need your compassionate support with financial assistance. Let’s pool together to aid this family in need and allow them to thrive.

This is a very difficult time for Eddie and his boys. He is incredibly grateful for the love and support of family, friends and the kind acts from strangers.

Thank you to Lana Russell for bringing this Cause to our attention and thanks to everyone who nominated a Cause this Quarter, we had so many great options to choose from.

PROUD TO SUPPORT SHUGUY MINISTRIES

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 21:22:00 GMT

100Brokers Members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to ShuGuy Ministries.

ShuGuy Ministries has a very simple mandate, to provide quality new or gently used shoes to homeless people living on Vancouver Island. “Our goal is to partner with local homeless advocacy groups in order to most effectively distribute shoes to the most vulnerable in our society. We don’t consider ourselves experts on homelessness, just a group of people who see a need and are trying to make a difference where we live.”

It was a very close vote, thanks to everyone who nominated and voted this Quarter. Our next Cause will be supported in December of 2018. We accept nominations anytime, so please put your Causes forward. If you have submitted a Cause in the past that hasn’t won, please consider nominating them again.

PROUD TO SUPPORT SAGE & LYNNE-ANNE GRAHAM

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 21:14:00 GMT

100Brokers members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Sage & Lynne-Anne Graham.

“This Changes our lives. My daughter (Sage) has had to fight cancer three times in 3.5 Years and being a sole parent and full time care-giver, I haven’t been able to work and meet all our financial needs. It has been extremely tight and I haven’t been able to look after simple things, like new car tires, or saying “yes” if sage wants take-out at times. This gift enables me to not worry so much so I can focus on Sage and getting her through. this gift truly makes our lives so much better! From my heart, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Lynne-Anne and Sage. (Sage was too shy to take a photo so we have a photo of her at her best!)”

Nomination Story: Sage is a 7-year old, determined little girl that has endured more in the last three years than anyone should in a lifetime. When she was four, Sage was diagnosed with stage 3, FH Wilms Kidney Cancer. It took over her left kidney, grew up her IVC (main artery) and was inside her heart. Sage has endured multiple life threatening surgeries, including open heart surgery, radiation, proton therapy, chemo and much more. She is currently undergoing her third round of chemo as another spot has been found. She is such a brave, beautiful, strong girl that still maintains a positive outlook on life regardless of the hard knocks she has been given.

Lynn-Anne is a hero. She is a single mom who has been with Sage every step of the way through this journey. Lynn-Anne is an advocate for Childhood Cancer. She has not been able to work because of the time and care needed for Sage, spending weeks at a time in the hospital.

Lynn-Anne and Sage are a dynamic duo that have somehow maintained a balanced perspective on life with passion and a continued zest for life.

Thanks to Shelley Rosner who nominated Sage & Lynne-Anne, and thanks to everyone who nominated a Cause this Quarter. There were many great options to choose from.

We will be supporting our next cause in September 2018.

PROUD TO SUPPORT KARES.CA

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 18:48:00 GMT

100Brokers members voted and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Kares.ca. (Kids at Risk Embracing Success).

“I cannot even begin to tell you how truly thrilled and honoured Kares is to receive funding support from 100Brokers. So many kids will be helped by your generous donation. There are no words to describe how grateful we are. Thank you!” Meryll Dreyer on behalf of Kares

The Nomination Story:

– 1 in 5 homeless youth use shelters
– 1/3 of all Canadian homeless are between the ages of 16 & 24
– 70% have been physically, sexually and emotionally abused

Kares.ca (Kids at Risk Embracing Success) is a new national giving program for the Canadian mortgage industry as a whole, focussed on marginalized youth between the ages of 16-24. During this transitional period, from being a teenager and growing into and adults – these youth at risk often slip through the cracks and become forgotten. Falling into prostitution, drug addiction, homelessness and even suicide – these young adults desperately need attention and support. By helping these kids, at a critical time in their lives, Kares.ca. hopes to make a substantial and sustained, positive change in their lives and futures.

Thanks to Frances Hinojosa who nominated Kares.ca, and thanks to everyone who nominated a cause this quarter. There were many great options to choose from and it was a very close vote.

Proud to Support The Gann Family

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 18:21:00 GMT

100Brokers members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $6,000 to The Gann Family. Kelly Gann was in a serious work accident resulting in a life changing situation for Kelly and his family.

Their Nomination Story: The Gann family is going through a very trying and life altering time right now. Kelly was in a serious accident while at work on Wednesday April 26th that had him airlifted to Royal Columbian Hospital in critical condition. The Surgeons did everything they could to salvage his arm but the final decision had to be made and they had to amputate it just above the elbow. This has left the family struggling to process how their life is going to change going forward. We have had an overwhelming amount of people wanting to support Kelly & Tanya and their 2 boys John and Brady any way that they can. Friends and family looked into a “Go Fund Me” page but after discovering that they keep roughly 8-10% of the donations I was hoping that “100 Brokers Who Care” could help. We are wanting to help with some financial burdens they have incurred. All of our hearts ache for this family during this time and anyway you can help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks to Luisa Hough who nominated Kelly and his family, and thanks to everyone who nominated a cause this quarter. There were many great options to choose from!

As 100Brokers has now supported four causes, we will be looking for new members come October 2017, stay tuned for what we have in store. If you’d like to help us organize 100Brokers, or have any comments or suggestions, feel free to contact any of us anytime!

Proud to Support Karen Hope

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 00:54:00 GMT

100Brokers members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $6,000 to Karen Hope. That is 60 brokers each donating $100 in support of a long time member of the First National Financial Family who fell suddenly ill and was rushed to hospital where she took a very serious turn for the worse.

Thanks to Jenna Dreyer & Marc Lalonde both nominated Karen, and thanks to everyone else who nominated a cause this quarter. We had so many great options to choose from. We will be supporting our next cause in June 2017.

Proud to Support the Ellis Family

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 15:34:00 GMT

100Brokers members voted and we are very pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $5,700 to The Ellis Family. That is 57 brokers each donating $100 in support of a family who is caring for their little boy with a very rare terminal illness. Thanks to Neil Beaumont for bringing this cause to our attention and for taking the gratuitous big check shot with the family.

Thanks to everyone who nominated a cause this quarter, we had so many great options to choose from. We will be supporting our next cause in March 2017.

Proud to Support the Canadian Mental Health Association

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 22:10:00 GMT

100Brokers members voted and we are very pleased to announce that in our first show of unified support, we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $5,700 to the Canadian Mental Health Association. That is 57 brokers each donating $100 in support of raising awareness for mental health issues. Thanks to Dan Pultr for bringing this cause to our attention.

Thanks to everyone who nominated a cause this quarter, we had so many great options to choose from. We will be supporting our next cause in November of 2016.

Fort McMurray – Several Ways to Give!

Wed, 11 May 2016 20:32:00 GMT

Our hearts go out to all the people impacted by the fires in Fort McMurray. Below is a list that we have put together outlining charities that are making a difference locally in the fire relief effort in Fort McMurray.

At the time of writing this, our membership is at 74 brokers across Canada, and although our goal is to reach 100 members in each region, BC, The Prairies, Eastern Canada, and Atlantic Canada, we feel that the severity of this cause is enough to unite brokers across Canada to give as a consolidated group!

Over the next week, 100Brokers Who Care will be narrowing down this list to 3 potential recipients, and voting on who will receive our donation of $7400. However if there is a charity on the list below that you would like to support independently, please do that!

This list is being provided for your consideration!

Redcross

With the federal government announcing that they are matching all donations made to the Red Cross for the Fort McMurray Wildfires, this is a very good option! The Redcross has a reputation of doing great work in disaster relief. You can donate $5 by texting REDCROSS to 30333 or donate $10 by texting FIRES to 45678. Be careful: There are some scammers posing as the Red Cross asking for money on social media.

The organization said it will likely be working in Fort McMurray for the next four or five years.

Donate to the Redcross >>

Salvation Army

As fires rage in Alberta, The Salvation Army’s Emergency and Disaster Services is on alert to provide fast, efficient service to first responders and those impacted by the disaster. The Salvation Army’s established and well-rehearsed emergency protocol allows the organization to offer practical support such as food, clothing and shelter, as well as emotional and spiritual care. The Salvation Army is committed to serving both in the response and recovery p

Donate to the Salvation Army >>

Save The Children

Children are the most vulnerable during emergencies, that’s why Save the Children has deployed staff to Edmonton to help minimize the impact of the disaster. We are continuously assessing the situation based on the most current Fort McMurray fire news and determining where help is most needed. Currently we are providing the necessary supplies for the safety and wellbeing of children, including hygiene kits, pop-up kits, baby baths, and clothes for newborns, in addition to the creation of Child Friendly Spaces. A Child Friendly Space or CFS is a critical component to providing support to children and families in temporary locations following a disaster.

Donate to Save the Children >>

Save on Foods

Join Save-On-Foods in supporting victims of the Fort McMurray fires at your local Save-On-Foods. You can donate cash or points. Displaced residents in need of emergency prescription refills can access their files at any Save-On-Foods/Overwaitea Food Group store. Our thoughts are with the residents of Fort McMurray and with the more than 300 Save-On-Foods team members affected by the wildfire.

Learn More About What Save On Foods is Doing >>

United Way Fort McMurray

By donating to United for Fort McMurray you will help thousands of our city’s residents recover from this disaster and return to our families, our friends, and our neighbourhoods. Your generosity will help address important social needs like housing, food assistance, trauma and mental health supports, and much more.

Canada Helps

CanadaHelps.org has a great resource list of charities that are setup to help the victims of the Fort McMurray fires. Have a look and find somewhere to give!

Help Dominic and His Family

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 18:05:00 GMT

This cause has been brought forward by Neil Beaumont for your consideration. This simply means we have published it to the 100Brokers blog as a way to highlight a cause you might want to support.

A GoFundMe Page has been created to help Dominic and his family. Please consider helping them out with a donation. At the time of publishing this article, they are $4440 into a $5000 goal. It would be nice to see our community push them over the top!

Below is a pdf sharing their story as well as the original text from the GoFundMe Campaign where you can easily send money online.

Support Dominic and His Family

From GoFundMe

My name is Kimberly and my amazing friends need your help!

Though they would never ask for help themselves they are in need of some financial help to support themselves and their beautiful son Dominic.

Dominic was born with an extremely rare terminal metabolic condition and for three and a half years has been sick and in and out of the hospital and intensive care. He has beat so many odds to stay in this world and be with his parents and anyone who has been around this family can feel that he has stayed in this world with us because of the love he has for his parents. Hannah and Shawn have loved this little boy beyond words and how they get through everyday amazes me. They have completely uprooted their lives and left many friends and family in their home town and moved to be closer to the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver where Dominic can get the best possible care. They are amazing parents and people and truly deserve your help!

Hannah has not been able to work since she was five months pregnant due to complications during her pregnancy as a result of Dominic’s disease and has continued to be off work to be Mommy, nurse, and world to this unbelievably strong and amazing boy. Shawn has worked throughout Dominic’s three and half years in this world and is 100% willing to work for his family whenever he can. But due to Dominic’s condition is often unable to do so as Dominic is sick and in the hospital and needs his parents. Shawn has also dedicated his life to his son and become father, nurse, and world.

These amazing people just need a break and the last thing that they need to worry about at this point is making ends meet. My hope is that we can fundraise so that they can continue to focus on their son and the care and attention that he needs. Any little bit helps and it would mean the world to me to take just a little bit of their worries away.

Thank you,
Kimberly

Beat Street Feet

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 08:55:00 GMT

Our First Cause

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 08:11:00 GMT