Sandy (Cassandra) Stevens’ Bucket List

Sandy’s Bucket List Fundraiser

My dear friend Sandy found out on Xmas Eve of 2020 that she has stage 4 Breast Cancer. Then on February 1, 2021 she found out she also has stage 4 Ovarian cancer as well as cancer speckled throughout her torso. The doctors told her she has a 5% chance to live for another 5 yrs. 5 YEARS!!! That was 2 1/2 years ago. This year she will turn 40.

In March of 2021 Sandy underwent 6 rounds of intense chemo , 3 surgeries (one major) and countless other procedures. This spring (2023) she had to go in for radiation treatments to hopefully halt the growth of a cancerous tumour near her aorta.

She is on a stable med right now that is hopefully buying her time. This medication costs $7500/month. While the Cross Cancer Society is covering it right now we aren’t sure how long that will be for nor how long her organs will handle this medication. Should she need to undergo any more chemo, Sandy will no longer be a viable candidate for this medication.

In October of 2022, despite all these life prolonging procedures and medications, Sandy was told by her oncologist that she likely only has 2 years left to live.

Sandy has to choose between using her limited energy for the things that really matter, like friends and family, and using that same precious energy at a job that won’t even make ends meet. Yes, she is on some income assistance but as we all know, it’s never enough.

Last year we did a perennial sale to help pay for Sandy’s plane tickets to Costa Rica for a once in a lifetime trip. (Peru got cancelled due to civil/political unrest in that country that made it unsafe for travel) This year we are doing a go fund me page to help send her on a solo road trip to Vancouver island. She will visit friends and family and show her sweet girl, Pebbles, the beauty of BC for a few weeks. Just before her diagnosis, Sandy was planning on moving out to BC. She had a job lined up and was looking for a place to live. That all changed once she was diagnosed, as being close to family (living with parents) and her support system during this time was so important. This is a big step for Sandy to have some independence away from home, hospitals, tests and treatments and to just live life to its fullest for a few weeks.

Also, as we all know the cost of everything has gone up and Sandy is no longer working. Anything donated above and beyond what she uses for the trip will go to whatever she deems fit to make life easier and more comfortable such as massage, Physio, chiro, complimentary and alternative medicines, as well as gas, groceries, and dog supplies.

If you are unable to donate at this time, please share to spread the word to as many people as possible. Thank you.