Shannon Orell-Bast & Family

In August 2022, Shannon Orell-Bast, beloved mother of two, animal rescue activist, community advocate and Social Worker/Counsellor was diagnosed with an extremely rare combination of bi-lateral breast cancers.

Shannon has hormone positive cancer (estrogen & progesterone) in her right breast, and Stage 3, high grade, aggressive triple negative (ER/PR/HER2-) cancer left breast with metastases to the lymph nodes. Due to the very aggressive nature of her complex cancer diagnosis, her Oncologist has given her an intermediate to poor prognosis. She has rallied her support network as she started the first of 15 rounds of chemotherapy – three separate kinds at once, thanks to special approval for a scarcely used clinical trial immunotherapy drug. Double mastectomy and likely radiation and hormone therapy will follow.

Your donations will allow her to seek out the most qualified individuals to assess and treat her rare combination of cancers. Shannon has now received approval for review by the division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Mina, the Co-Director of the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer program, who has developed and spear-headed a clinical breast cancer research program and lead a high-risk cancer prevention program, will be meeting with her and assessing her rare and aggressive case.

In view of Shannon's extended medical treatment, she is facing a gruelling year ahead and will not be likely to consistently continue her self-employment at Better Now Counselling & Wellness Solutions, resulting in very limited income for both her treatment and family expenses.

It is imperative to Shannon that her children's activities and academic pursuits are not negatively impacted by her illness and that she can ensure they continue to lead normal, healthy lives surrounded by supportive family, friends, and their three dogs and four cats.

Thank you to everyone who cares enough to extend themselves with generosity and love.