Cancer up the Wahzoo -Alison's Fight
Donation protected
In wake of everything going on in the world today it is very difficult for me to make this plea. But, unfortunately this is where we are at as all of the other resources have been exhausted.
As most of you may already know, on December 18th, 2019 our family received the most devastating news. My sister Alison found out that she has stage 3c colon cancer. So far Alison has completed 28 rounds of oral chemotherapy with radiation and is now receiving chemo infusion. The next steps will be to operate. This is a battle she will be fighting for at least the next 12 months.
While Alison has remained so brave throughout her journey this far, I on the other hand have felt absolutely powerless and of no help to her. She's my rock. My big sister. She would move mountians for me. And as I sit here, unable to take her pain away I try to think of any way possible that I can make this just a tiny bit easier for her.
As of most recently, with the covid crisis amplifying, visitors are no longer permitted inside the hospital. We couldn't physically be there for her when she went for her first round of infusion chemotherapy. As with covid, Alison's situatuon is evolving day by day. Learning how to completely adapt to her new lifestyle.
Our family was not prepared financially to receive a diagnosis like this. Stress and worry has been at an all time high, as I am sure you can all imagine (we're scared sh*tless). And now the unneeded financial stress has hit her.
Alison has used up her 15 week EI sick leave. As advised by social workers in the cancer center, that are there to provide advice on financial aid, Alison's next avenue for income is to apply for social assistance. Social Assistance barely pays $700 a month when her rent alone is $1000. Then there is the ongoing medical expenses. Thankfully Alison is currently covered under her employer's group benefit plan, but had she not had that coverage, her chemo pills would have cost her $1300 something that OHIP does NOT cover and that's just the beginning. This is the most outrageous thing!!! The whole system seems so flawed.
If any of you have had the pleasure of knowing my sister at anytime in your life you would know Alison for being extremely hardworking and self motivated. Alison has worked since the moment she was legally able to. She is an independent woman who has built an amazing life for herself on a single income (I know there's many of you out there thinking, sh*t we struggle with bills having dual income). Not to mention, Alison is all of our number one cheerleader! From the amount of times she's stood up with all of us as we said "I do" to all the children who refer to Alison as Auntie. Alison is that person, for so many, that we can count on. And now that shes been dealt this horrific hand, she doesn't even have the system to rely on financially.
I'm going to do everything I can to make this right for her and every other person out there fighting cancer. To start I need the help of all of you guys. Alison needs the help of all you guys to rally around her as she fights the toughest battle ♡
Even if you can't make a donation, as I realize these are desperate times for many right now, I encourage you to share this story or a story of your own and help raise awareness on the importance of having a finacial plan for medical emergancies! OHIP is not the do all save all. Nor is EI! If you cant work due to an illness like Alison, please make sure you have a plan!
THANK YOU.
♡
As most of you may already know, on December 18th, 2019 our family received the most devastating news. My sister Alison found out that she has stage 3c colon cancer. So far Alison has completed 28 rounds of oral chemotherapy with radiation and is now receiving chemo infusion. The next steps will be to operate. This is a battle she will be fighting for at least the next 12 months.
While Alison has remained so brave throughout her journey this far, I on the other hand have felt absolutely powerless and of no help to her. She's my rock. My big sister. She would move mountians for me. And as I sit here, unable to take her pain away I try to think of any way possible that I can make this just a tiny bit easier for her.
As of most recently, with the covid crisis amplifying, visitors are no longer permitted inside the hospital. We couldn't physically be there for her when she went for her first round of infusion chemotherapy. As with covid, Alison's situatuon is evolving day by day. Learning how to completely adapt to her new lifestyle.
Our family was not prepared financially to receive a diagnosis like this. Stress and worry has been at an all time high, as I am sure you can all imagine (we're scared sh*tless). And now the unneeded financial stress has hit her.
Alison has used up her 15 week EI sick leave. As advised by social workers in the cancer center, that are there to provide advice on financial aid, Alison's next avenue for income is to apply for social assistance. Social Assistance barely pays $700 a month when her rent alone is $1000. Then there is the ongoing medical expenses. Thankfully Alison is currently covered under her employer's group benefit plan, but had she not had that coverage, her chemo pills would have cost her $1300 something that OHIP does NOT cover and that's just the beginning. This is the most outrageous thing!!! The whole system seems so flawed.
If any of you have had the pleasure of knowing my sister at anytime in your life you would know Alison for being extremely hardworking and self motivated. Alison has worked since the moment she was legally able to. She is an independent woman who has built an amazing life for herself on a single income (I know there's many of you out there thinking, sh*t we struggle with bills having dual income). Not to mention, Alison is all of our number one cheerleader! From the amount of times she's stood up with all of us as we said "I do" to all the children who refer to Alison as Auntie. Alison is that person, for so many, that we can count on. And now that shes been dealt this horrific hand, she doesn't even have the system to rely on financially.
I'm going to do everything I can to make this right for her and every other person out there fighting cancer. To start I need the help of all of you guys. Alison needs the help of all you guys to rally around her as she fights the toughest battle ♡
Even if you can't make a donation, as I realize these are desperate times for many right now, I encourage you to share this story or a story of your own and help raise awareness on the importance of having a finacial plan for medical emergancies! OHIP is not the do all save all. Nor is EI! If you cant work due to an illness like Alison, please make sure you have a plan!
THANK YOU.
♡
Organizer and beneficiary
Kendra McEwan
Organizer
Oshawa, ON
Alison McEwan
Beneficiary