Help Mark Aling Fight Brain Cancer
Donation protected
Mark Aling started 2021 hopeful that it would be a year of new beginnings. He and his long-time girlfriend, Niki Kwekkeboom, had just gotten engaged, and they were excited to plan their future together.
Everything changed in mid-January when Mark had a seizure and was subsequently diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. There is no cure for glioblastoma, and Mark's cancer is terminal.
This devastating diagnosis means that Mark will be with us for an unknown amount of time. The prognosis from the doctors is a little more than a year. We want to make the most of this precious time and do all we can to keep him happy and comfortable.
However, there are extensive costs associated with Mark's treatment, care and living expenses. These costs are staggering, Mark and Niki can’t face this fight alone. That’s why our donations are so critical. Thay are both self-employed and have no insurance, EI benefits or savings to draw from.
Despite having brain cancer, Mark has found the strength to continue working from home. Niki, who typically works on-site with clients, is finding it hard to maintain her business while staying home to care for Mark. They will soon be forced to stop working entirely due to Mark's declining health, and they will no longer have any source of income.
Kind and generous to a fault, Mark would give anyone the shirt off his back. And now it’s time for all of us to give back to Mark.
This request is for future use when things get harder to manage financially due to medical expenses and treatments that are not covered by OHIP. These stresses are one less thing we can help reduce for them so that they can focus on the other important portions of this hard journey they are on.
Seeking your support
We are desperate to ensure that Mark, Niki and their children have everything they need to get through this immensely difficult time. If you're able to donate, no matter the amount, we'd be tremendously grateful.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone for your love and support.
Mark's close friends: Shannon Dougan,
Erin Phillips, Karl Wulf, Dawn & Kevin Shaw
Organizer and beneficiary
Shannon Dougan
Organizer
Burlington, ON
Nicole Kwekkeboom
Beneficiary