Urgent Request for Financial Support for Karishma

UPDATED March 25/23: To reduce the emotional labour for Karishma's children, Karishma's friend(s) are now managing this fundraising page. Here is our message to the world:

This is our dear and brave friend, Karishma (Kary) Salvador. She is the embodiment of the word courage. One can’t help but be reminded of the meaning of the word courage: “Telling the story of who you are with your whole heart.”

Unfortunately, Karishma’s experience in the medical system has been less than ideal with mistakes made, lack of support, and no medical advocates. She is now at a place in her cancer journey where she must look beyond all of the treatments she has been receiving here in BC for this last year. And with that, financial assistance is required.

Karishma is a woman who shows her love and compassion for this world by how she shares her heart, shares her story, shares her vulnerabilities, shares her medicine and shares her wisdom. Karishma is a woman who walks between worlds and is deeply spiritual, yet always has one foot on the ground here on Earth.

Her diagnosis of colon cancer in the spring of 2022 was devastating. After a surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy commenced. Alas, this induced a heart attack and she was unable to continue with this form of treatment. To add to this, seeking care in a burnt-out, short-of-workers medical system contributed to a less than ideal experience for her. It’s unfair and heart-wrenching.

In an effort to manage the cancer, she sought out alternative remedies through Naturopaths and other practitioners. In a system and society that acknowledges “western” medicine as the recommended form of healthcare, it comes as no surprise that the cost of holistic treatments is astronomical and not covered by any Medical Services Plan.

Her daughter and son helped Karishma fundraise nearly $18,000 to assist in the IV treatments and other supports. To those of you that already made a tremendous difference by supporting the previous fundraising drive, we say: Thank you, thank you, thank you. That support gave Karishma the ability to keep moving forward. The treatments appeared to be working, as her scans were completely clear of cancer; however, her tumour markers were continuously rising.

As we stand, the tumour markers have hit unprecedented numbers and cancer is now present at multiple sites, and they say surgery is not an option. With that said, there have been numerous oversights by medical professionals and she is unable to get any clear answers and is being passed from office to office. There is no one in the medical system stepping in to be her advocate and guide. Everything is taking an extraordinary amount of time, and time that Karishma doesn’t necessarily have.

Karishma is needing daily care, attention, treatment and ongoing immunity support. She is researching different centres, clinics and treatments. All the aforementioned takes a lot of time, energy, and money, in order to try and save her life.

Maybe some people may think, “She should just surrender to the disease/dis-ease.” Here’s what I say to that:

This woman has surrendered. She does not fear death. She carries herself with incredible grace. She grieves. She cries. She smiles. She laughs. And. She has two children that she would like to continue living for. She has a loving partner who she would like to continue living for. Her children and her partner would like to see her live for a couple more decades. Would you not like to be there for your children and loved ones to? Would you not want your mom, sister, daughter, loved one to be around a little while longer?

And so, here we are at this moment in time where there is advanced care available – beyond this restrictive environment that we are under here in BC – but in order to obtain further treatments, care and support, one has to have financial backing.

So dear friends. Can you help this incredible, loving, courageous woman continue her treatment journey? No amount is too big or too little. From a $10 donation to a $100 donation, to a $1,000 to a $10,000 donation, every bit helps.

The goal is $100,000. Reaching $25,000 would be incredibly helpful; reaching $50,000 would be instrumental, hitting $100,000 would hopefully be life-saving.

Thank you in advance for clicking on “donate”.

With love,

From the bottom of all the hearts of the people who love Karishma.

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ORIGINAL POSTING FROM KARISHMA'S CHILDREN:

It is with deep heartache to announce that our Mom, Kary (Karishma), has been diagnosed with Stage 3 (T4, N2) colon cancer. The cancer diagnosis was sudden, and within weeks of finding out, she underwent surgery this past May. The surgeon removed a large cancerous tumour as well as 65 lymph nodes and the left side of her colon. A few weeks later, we received her pathology, which showed that cancer had spread through 7 of her lymph nodes and intestinal lining. Doctors have advised that this is high-risk cancer and has a 75 percent chance of reoccurrence and/or secondary cancers developing within the next 5 years. She has started chemotherapy which has been debilitating and has encountered several complications.

As many of you may know, in 2001, she was bit by a tick and was diagnosed with Lymes Disease, which became detrimental to her health. She has fought a long and hard battle with this disease for over 20 years. Lymes wasn’t easily recognized in Canada at this time, and she could not get the resources or medical attention she needed. As a result, she has had countless doctors’ appointments and treatments over the years and has spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to help minimize her symptoms. The Lymes has caused her to become immunocompromised and affects her neurologically.

The combination of Lyme’s Disease and Cancer complicates her path to survival. She is working with several Cancer, Lyme, and medical specialists to best support her through this difficult time. She must attend expensive daily appointments, take multiple IV treatments, numerous medications, supplements, and vitamins to help keep her immune system up. After battling health issues for most of her life, the last thing we want is for her to worry about any financial strains. Throughout this challenging time, she has been beautiful, brave, and a warrior like she always is.

Karishma has always given to others and helped support countless people throughout her life. She has taken people into our home when they need it most and is always there for others. She would do anything for anyone and has a huge heart! Although it is hard to ask and very humbling for our family, we need help financially to cover these expenses that are necessary for her health and survival. If you can please help donate, we would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you for your support, generosity, love, and prayers.

With love,

Aija and Castille