PROUD TO SUPPORT LUCAS MARTIN EASTERN RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2023

Brokers Who Care • September 25, 2023

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 Christine Buemann RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2025

By Brokers Who Care • March 10, 2025
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

By Brokers Who Care • March 10, 2025
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

By Brokers Who Care • December 11, 2024
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.
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