Saying Goodbye to Shawn Willett
Donation protected
Two weeks before graduating from college and landing his dream job, Shawn Willet collapsed in class. He woke up 5 days later with a colostomy bag and a crohn’s and colitis diagnosis. Life would never be the same.
Shawn and Jacquie met in 2005 and never looked back. They lived together on the 4th floor of a 4 storey apartment building for several years; Jacquie returning to college and building a career, while Shawn, unable to work and on permanent disability, continued to undergo countless Remicade treatments and surgeries. Despite the enormous financial strain it took on his disability income, they moved into their home, and then got married in 2013. Soon after, they welcomed their Husky, Nya, to their family. Life remained a steady constant of doctors and surgeries and borrowed time.
Shawn spent half his life knowing nothing but illness and encountered numerous medical milestones, including a successful colostomy reversal in 2017. Jacquie spent their entire relationship caring for him while working full time and supporting their family. Like so many, finances have always been a struggle.
In 2020, as Covid ravaged the world, Shawn and Jacquie were finally told about his kidney cancer diagnosis... Something the doctors had actually discovered almost two years prior. Then, two years ago, Shawn went in to the doctor with what they were told was a large hernia. His health at the time would not allow a surgery regardless of the fact that the world was still on pause. For the last several years due to infections and complications, Shawn was not even able to receive his Remicade treatments. On June 1st 2023, Shawn went in to the hospital where he remained for 3 weeks. He was sent home with no answers and nowhere to turn. His specialists in Toronto had already failed him and were too far to travel in his condition. After months of Jacquie phoning, emailing, and walking into doctor’s offices to actually speak to someone, they discovered that Shawn’s hernia was actually a cancerous tumour. In addition to his existing kidney cancer, Shawn was also diagnosed with round cell sarcoma; a rare cancer in which no doctor close to home specializes. Unfit to travel and with no doctor even willing to take on his case, Shawn was left to die at home.
Jacquie has been off work since June caring for him as his nurse, support person, and anything else he needed her to be. For months she has had to watch him whither away knowing there is nothing that can be done.
On Friday, November 24th, 2023, Shawn lost his fight to cancer and passed away at Lakeridge Hospital in Oshawa at the age of 46. Having been sick from a young age, life insurance was never an option for Shawn. The cost of funeral services is now the next burden to bear as Jacquie grieves the loss of the love of her life. Please help raise enough to provide a proper farewell to an amazing man. Any funds raised will be spent helping with final expenses.
Shawn and Jacquie met in 2005 and never looked back. They lived together on the 4th floor of a 4 storey apartment building for several years; Jacquie returning to college and building a career, while Shawn, unable to work and on permanent disability, continued to undergo countless Remicade treatments and surgeries. Despite the enormous financial strain it took on his disability income, they moved into their home, and then got married in 2013. Soon after, they welcomed their Husky, Nya, to their family. Life remained a steady constant of doctors and surgeries and borrowed time.
Shawn spent half his life knowing nothing but illness and encountered numerous medical milestones, including a successful colostomy reversal in 2017. Jacquie spent their entire relationship caring for him while working full time and supporting their family. Like so many, finances have always been a struggle.
In 2020, as Covid ravaged the world, Shawn and Jacquie were finally told about his kidney cancer diagnosis... Something the doctors had actually discovered almost two years prior. Then, two years ago, Shawn went in to the doctor with what they were told was a large hernia. His health at the time would not allow a surgery regardless of the fact that the world was still on pause. For the last several years due to infections and complications, Shawn was not even able to receive his Remicade treatments. On June 1st 2023, Shawn went in to the hospital where he remained for 3 weeks. He was sent home with no answers and nowhere to turn. His specialists in Toronto had already failed him and were too far to travel in his condition. After months of Jacquie phoning, emailing, and walking into doctor’s offices to actually speak to someone, they discovered that Shawn’s hernia was actually a cancerous tumour. In addition to his existing kidney cancer, Shawn was also diagnosed with round cell sarcoma; a rare cancer in which no doctor close to home specializes. Unfit to travel and with no doctor even willing to take on his case, Shawn was left to die at home.
Jacquie has been off work since June caring for him as his nurse, support person, and anything else he needed her to be. For months she has had to watch him whither away knowing there is nothing that can be done.
On Friday, November 24th, 2023, Shawn lost his fight to cancer and passed away at Lakeridge Hospital in Oshawa at the age of 46. Having been sick from a young age, life insurance was never an option for Shawn. The cost of funeral services is now the next burden to bear as Jacquie grieves the loss of the love of her life. Please help raise enough to provide a proper farewell to an amazing man. Any funds raised will be spent helping with final expenses.
Fundraising team: Team fundraiser (3)
Rebecca Regehr
Organizer
Oshawa, ON
Jacqueline Willett
Beneficiary
Sarah Passmore
Team member
Sara Horruzey
Team member