Help us raise money

Nadia would want us to enjoy all the beautiful things in life.

Time in this world with family and friends is a beautiful thing, it is a blessing. She was our blessing.

We miss Nadia every day and we don't want anyone to ever experience our tragedy.

Colon cancer cases are rising in young adults. The CCRAN is helping others get more time.

On April 26 our team is participating in the Bum Run, in support of the CCRAN. Please consider supporting or joining to walk with our team: Bootyful Things. Our Benson Boone inspired glittery outfits will sparkle and shine, like Nadia. Proceeds from the Bum Run support CCRAN's colon cancer patient programs, including advocacy and early detection education. Our experience with the CCRAN is very personal.

I will never forget the words we heard after visiting our third cancer care hospital, the oncologist said to Nadia: "You are facing something that you cannot do individually, you need Second Line Treatment immediately, you need advocacy to access that treatment. This is beyond what you're capable of achieving alone, I know an organization you can try calling: CCRAN."

We left the hospital in despair and made the call to CCRAN on the drive home. Filomena from the CCRAN called us back within an hour. Filomena had already reviewed the file sent to her by Nadia's oncologist, who had reached out to her immediately. We didn't know who she was or what the CCRAN would mean for us, but finally, a ray of hope. 

We spoke every day, multiple times a day, with CCRAN. They went right to work with the drug navigator trying to find a way to help us. The provided us with so many incredible resources: diet, lifestyle, treatment, counseling. They even spoke directly with our family members and provided them with guidance. We were overwhelmed with fear and the CCRAN guided us each day with a rapidly evolving plan on how we would fight the disease. A new clinical trial using combination therapy, including a specific drug used in Second Line Treatment only, had proven significant and effective results against the strain of colon cancer Nadia faced. However, the drug had not yet been approved for first line treatment in Canada.

We, along with other Canadians also fighting a similar battle, desperately needed access to this new treatment option. CCRAN advocated with great passion and this advocacy has finally come to fruition because the treatment is now available in Ontario for people just like my sister Nadia.

Filomena and CCRAN gave us so much strength and courage. We spoke with the CCRAN in the early hours of the morning and late at night: "what do we eat, what should we ask the doctor, what can we expect tomorrow?" We called from the car, the hospital room, the emergency room: "We're panicking, we need your advice." They were always there for us and without the CCRAN's support, we would have lost all hope. Hope is comforting when you are scared. 

CCRAN needs support so that others know they are not facing this battle alone. So that others get tested early and never have to battle this horrible disease. 

On behalf of Nadia, we are forever grateful for the CCRAN, it was a lifeline for us in a dark time.