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

100Brokers • September 19, 2020

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 Andrea Mundie RECIPIENT 3rd QUARTER 2025

By Brokers Who Care • November 3, 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 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

By Brokers Who Care • November 3, 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 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

By Brokers Who Care • June 24, 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 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.
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