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 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.
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.
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.
