PROUD TO SUPPORT LUCAS MARTIN EASTERN RECIPIENT 3RD QUARTER 2023

Brokers Who Care • September 25, 2023

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Lucas Martin, our Eastern Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Rocco Mongelli for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

The day our world was flipped upside down was March 1 2023 our 9 year old baby boy Lucas was diagnosed with leukaemia (ALL). In the months leading up to that day we had many hospital visits trying to figure out what was going on with our son as he was losing weight, looking pale and just wasn’t himself. After many blood tests and visits with specialists we were told he had a virus that had attacked his immune system and that it would run its course, until one day his feet were hurting so bad that another hospital visit had finally revealed Lucas has leukaemia.
From that day forward our lives will never be the same, we spent the first 2 weeks at Sick Kids Hospital and Lucas had a port inserted on the right side of his chest where he received needles for bloodwork and chemo. We were told he wouldn’t be able to attend school to finish grade 3 or play the game that he loves, ice hockey. Lucas’s passion in life is hockey he plays rep hockey and was team captain for his Caledon AA team and to have that taken away from him was devastating.

Lucas’ diagnosis requires him to receive chemotherapy on a weekly basis along with multiple blood tests and transfusions. Treatment is scheduled to to end in 2026 and as you can imagine this has put stress on our family mentally, emotionally and financially. My wife Valerie was able to continue working from home while caring for Lucas and our oldest son Matthew while I was able to continue managing my small construction business but after months of continuous hospital visits for treatments it had taken its toll.
To add more to the mix, with her daily focus and mind being always on our little one, Valerie was diagnosed with anxiety and mild depression and decided it was best to take a leave from work to focus on caring for Lucas and applied for short term disability leave only to be denied based on her lack of medical history to support her claim. So we made Lucas the priority like any parent would, however, being a one income family in todays world is not an ideal situation.

Lucas is a warrior and continues to fight this disease with everything he’s got. He will have to endure 3 years of treatment (chemotherapy)and countless blood tests, transfusions and lumbar punctures. The concern for infection from a compromised immune system is always a threat to his health and as such we have to be weary of visitors to our home. A simple fever can mean 24 to 48 hour hospitalization with antibiotic treatment.

Lucas has good days and mostly bad days as chemotherapy leaves him feeling ill and depleted and spends most days after treatment lying in his bed. The morning Lucas lost his hair was a traumatic experience for him even though we talked about it happening he wasn’t fully aware or prepared for the clumps of hair left behind on his pillow.

We have come to realize that taking this journey with Lucas is impossible without the help of faith, family, friends and community. We are truly grateful for any help that we receive.

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PROUD TO SUPPORT Chico-Battling Cancer RECIPIENT EASTERN 2nd QUARTER 2026

May 9, 2026

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Chico - Battling Cancer our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2026 vote. Thank you Rosa Bovino for bringing this Cause to our attention. Chico is a loving husband and father who has always given back to his community, family, and friends. His life changed unexpectedly when he suffered a sudden seizure and was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. His family has stood by his side through every challenge, and he has been unable to work due to his condition. Despite exhausting all conventional treatment options, there is still hope. Optune Gio is a device that could slow the tumor's growth and give Chico more precious time with his loved ones. However, the cost of this life-extending treatment is overwhelming, and his family urgently needs support to afford it. Chico's journey has been incredibly tough, but the community has rallied around him. Your support, no matter the size, will go directly toward his care, easing the financial burden on his family during this difficult time. Together, we can help Chico access the treatment he needs and allow him to focus on what matters most—spending time with the people he loves. Thank you for your kindness and generosity during this critical time.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Lawson Needs Our Help RECIPIENT WESTERN 2nd QUARTER 2026

By Brokers Who Care • May 9, 2026

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Lawson-Needs Our Help our Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2026 vote. Thank you Emily Miszk for bringing this Cause to our attention. About a year ago, what appeared to be a routine illness became a life-threatening crisis. Lawson developed massive blood clots, and during a procedure, his heart stopped. He went without oxygen for up to 45 minutes and required CPR and ECMO life support to survive. Against incredible odds, Lawson is still here. He is now off life support, but he sustained significant brain injury. His recovery requires ongoing, intensive therapy, specialized care, and long-term medical support. Before this, Lawson was an active, sports-loving kid, often found at the rink supporting his older brother Cooper—a team captain who continues to show remarkable strength and leadership through it all. Today, Lawson’s family is navigating time away from work, ongoing medical travel, and the emotional and financial weight of rebuilding their lives around his recovery. Your vote is more than financial support—it’s access to therapy, care, and the opportunity for Lawson to reach his fullest potential. Lawson has already shown incredible strength. With our support, his story can continue to be one of resilience, progress, and hope.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Let's Cure Lucas RECIPIENT EASTERN 1st QUARTER 2026

By Brokers Who Care • February 16, 2026

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Let's Cure Lucas - Fighting an Ultra-Rare Genetic Disease our Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2026 vote. Thank you Rocco Mongelli for bringing this Cause to our attention. Lucas Azevedo is a four-year-old with an ultra-rare gene variant affecting the RBM28 gene—a condition so rare that only one other child in the world has been discovered with it. This disease is currently unnamed and has no cure, but his smile and spirit inspire everyone around him. Lucas lives with significant physical challenges. His ultra-rare gene variant affects all four of his limbs, his balance and coordination, his speech, his oral strength, and much more. His muscles are both tight and fragile, making even the simplest movements a challenge against gravity itself. Nothing happens automatically for him—every movement requires intention, strength, and support. The RBM28 variant affects his cerebellum, the area of the brain vital for coordinating voluntary movements, balance, posture, and motor learning. While there is currently no cure, gene therapy has been developed and has proven successful in stopping progression for many ultra-rare diseases. Lucas's family is hopeful about ongoing research and potential breakthroughs. In the meantime, Lucas works incredibly hard six days a week undergoing physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, swallowing therapy, and hydrotherapy to build strength and independence. His goal is to walk independently, run, jump, and ride a bike. Your support directly funds the therapies and care that allow Lucas to keep fighting and growing stronger. Together, we can help this remarkable little boy achieve his dreams and contribute to the research that may one day lead to a cure. Thank you for standing with Lucas and his family in this urgent fight.