PROUD TO SUPPORT THE Nicholls Family WESTERN RECIPIENT 1ST QUARTER 2024
Brokers Who Care • February 12, 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 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.
Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Chico - Battling Cancer our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2026 vote. Thank you Rosa Bovino for bringing this Cause to our attention. Chico is a loving husband and father who has always given back to his community, family, and friends. His life changed unexpectedly when he suffered a sudden seizure and was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. His family has stood by his side through every challenge, and he has been unable to work due to his condition. Despite exhausting all conventional treatment options, there is still hope. Optune Gio is a device that could slow the tumor's growth and give Chico more precious time with his loved ones. However, the cost of this life-extending treatment is overwhelming, and his family urgently needs support to afford it. Chico's journey has been incredibly tough, but the community has rallied around him. Your support, no matter the size, will go directly toward his care, easing the financial burden on his family during this difficult time. Together, we can help Chico access the treatment he needs and allow him to focus on what matters most—spending time with the people he loves. Thank you for your kindness and generosity during this critical time.
Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Lawson-Needs Our Help our Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2026 vote. Thank you Emily Miszk for bringing this Cause to our attention. About a year ago, what appeared to be a routine illness became a life-threatening crisis. Lawson developed massive blood clots, and during a procedure, his heart stopped. He went without oxygen for up to 45 minutes and required CPR and ECMO life support to survive. Against incredible odds, Lawson is still here. He is now off life support, but he sustained significant brain injury. His recovery requires ongoing, intensive therapy, specialized care, and long-term medical support. Before this, Lawson was an active, sports-loving kid, often found at the rink supporting his older brother Cooper—a team captain who continues to show remarkable strength and leadership through it all. Today, Lawson’s family is navigating time away from work, ongoing medical travel, and the emotional and financial weight of rebuilding their lives around his recovery. Your vote is more than financial support—it’s access to therapy, care, and the opportunity for Lawson to reach his fullest potential. Lawson has already shown incredible strength. With our support, his story can continue to be one of resilience, progress, and hope.
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.
