Help Danielle raise money

On August 14, 2025 Ty was in the ER with some funny symptoms and a tumor was found. September 3rd, Ty had a nephrectomy and thrombectomy (fancy words to say his left kidney and a blood clot caused by the tumor was removed from his vena cava). The following day he had another procedure to vacuum up blood clots that had migrated to his lungs. 

In October, pathology confirmed he had Stage 3B Grade 4 Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (kidney cancer). As his Urologist so eloquently stated, there is nothing worse than grade 4. He was being referred to the top team at BC Cancer and would start immunotherapy ASAP. 2 weeks later his new Oncology team declared him Stage 4 as the blood clots in his lungs tested positive for cancer cells. 

By February we knew that immunotherapy, his only chance at a cure, had failed. It had wreaked havoc on his system and allowed his cancer to spread. He now had at least two spots on his liver, some sketchy looking lymph nodes near his surgical site, growth at his surgical site, and a tumor in his spine that was at risk of paralyzing him if it wasn't treated right away. 

In mid March, we learned that his tumors had continued to grow, and his 2nd treatment had turned toxic and attacked his remaining kidney and liver. 12 days in hospital and a month of recuperation at home made him well enough to start his 3rd treatment designed not to cure, but to buy time. 

Throughout the last year, exercise has been a crutch for me. It's given me a place to clear my head mentally, and helps me stay physically strong. It's something to focus on outside the world of doctors appointments and a way to calm the anxiety as we wait for Ty's next scans. 

As the ultimate distraction, and as a way to give back to the BC Cancer Agency who has provided world class care to Ty as well as resources for our family, I have decided to challenge myself by running the BMO Marathon in May 2027 to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation. 

I have no idea what the next months will bring. Scans could come back with the kind of news we don't want. Obviously more extended hospital stays may derail training. But no matter the path we travel to get there, I will be lacing up at the BMO starting line in support of BC Cancer. 

Because I've never been alone in my role as caregiver, Heather will be joining me. We'll don orange, the most unflattering of colours on our pale skin, as orange is the official colour for Kidney Cancer. We'll look silly. We'll try our best. And we'll do it because every dollar raised goes towards helping people across the province of BC just like Ty.