Help Allison Fight Cancer

In December 2021, just before the Christmas holidays, Allison was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon and rectum). The rectum is the final part of the digestive tract. The diagnosis was a complete surprise to Allison, as she is only in her early 50s.

Although Allison has lived most of her life in a small community in the South Okanagan, she has enriched so many people’s lives through her dedication as a true friend and has always made herself available to lend a hand. By also being a friend to the wildlife and plants found in the valley, she has shared her passion and expertise with others to help conserve the species that need our help to survive. Now Allison needs our help.

Allison is currently undergoing treatment in Kelowna, BC to remove the cancerous growth in her rectum. This treatment will involve chemo-radiation therapy and may be followed by chemotherapy and then finally by surgery to remove her rectum, along with a colostomy which involves creating an opening in her abdomen to allow for defecation. Although the doctors say that the prognosis after these treatments is good, Allison’s life will be forever changed.

Humour, friendships, and family have helped Allison to come to terms with her new reality. As part of accepting the outcome of her treatment, she has been compiling a list of benefits of not having a rectum, such as spending less money on toilet paper and not having to worry about hoarders! Allison would be happy to share others with you if you reach out to her. She also wants everyone to take this “sh**” seriously and get tested when turning 50 or convince a loved one to do so.

Allison’s intital chemo-radiation therapy will occur over a six-week period, which began on January 10, and will involve costs to travel and stay in Kelowna. Additionally, Allison’s income will be greatly reduced during the entire period of treatment, recovery, and adjustment to her new reality. The goal of $10,000 CAD is to cover her expenses and lost income so that she is afforded the time to heal.

Please help Allison in any way that you can. It will be a long journey ahead and we are hoping to lessen the financial burden of her ordeal.

Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts for any donation, big or small, to help Allison fight her cancer.