PROUD TO SUPPORT THE TOZER WESTERN RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2023

Brokers Who Care • June 12, 2023

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $3,000 to the Tozer and family, our Western Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2023 vote.

Thank you to Tracy Head for bringing this Cause to our attention.

The Nomination Story:

Robin and Lonna met in 2016. They had both been searching for their person, the one to start a family with and build a future together. In 2017 they married and started their family pretty much right away. They were overjoyed when Riley arrived in 2018.

Riley was barely one when Lonna was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had three surgeries to remove the cancer and was given the all-clear. Unsure if they were able to conceive another child, a fertility clinic was consulted in which only a 2% chance was given to have a sibling for Riley. Nothing short of a miracle occurred when Lonna and Robin were informed that they were to expect twins although sadly one was lost during pregnancy. They were so overjoyed when Logan arrived that Lonna fondly referred to as her rainbow baby in 2021. Their joy was overshadowed in 2022 when Logan was barely one and Lonna was again diagnosed with cancer, this time an aggressive form of cervical cancer.

Lonna underwent a radical hysterectomy in early 2022 and her medical team was optimistic that they had gotten all of the cancer at the time. While Lonna was recovering from her surgery, Logan started having Febrile seizures. He was admitted for multiple overnight hospital stays while his doctors tried to determine why he was having the seizures.
2022 was a blur of hospital stays, medications, and treatments for both Lonna and Logan. In the fall doctors found more tumors growing and spreading throughout Lonna’s lower body. Her cancer treatment team decided that chemo and radiation therapy was the best option to try to stop this rapidly growing cancer that had spread into her bladder and bowels. Complications from this treatment and spread required her to have an ostomy bag put in place to mitigate infections from bowel perforations.

Lonna suffered complication after complication and infection after infection. In early 2023 scans revealed that the tumors were still growing and the cancer had now spread to a lung which lead her oncologist prognosis to determine that she now had a low probability of surviving. In a desperate last attempt to save her life, Lonna was set to receive immunotherapy and a more aggressive form of chemotherapy. She was able to do 4 rounds of immunotherapy but was not able to undergo any more chemotherapy due to numerous infections which landed her almost all of 2023 in the hospital. There was a glimmer of hope in March as for the first time, recent scans showed very little tumor growth.

Sadly Lonna passed suddenly in April.

In the midst of this Robin lost his job. It was a mixed blessing as this allowed him to care for Lonna and the boys, but reality is that he has a mortgage payment and bills to pay.

Robin cannot go back to work yet as the doctors are still trying to sort out what is causing Logan’s seizures. He mentioned that he is afraid to sleep at night as several of the seizures have happened in the middle of the night. Robin and Lonna were careful savers so had a nest egg to draw on. After four years of heartache fighting the cancer and the ongoing concern of caring for Logan funds are getting tight. They had not asked for any financial help all the way through Lonna’s cancer battles but the time has come that they need some support.

Robin needs to be there for the boys as they navigate their new reality. His work had been in Fort MacMurray (16 hours away from home in West Kelowna) and there is no way that he can leave the boys. With the seizures that Logan is experiencing Robin needs to be with the boys 24/7 for the foreseeable future.

Choosing to support the Tozer family will help Robin be able to stay at home with the boys as long as possible.

Check out these links: https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/news/Kelowna/Kelowna_woman_loses_battle_with_cancer/

Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-tozer-family?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

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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.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Lisse's Family Fighting for Healing and Stability RECIPIENT WESTERN 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 Lisse's Family Fighting for Healing and Stability our Recipient of the 1st Quarter 2026 vote. Thank you Lauren Sbitney for bringing this Cause to our attention. Lisse and her husband Zach are facing an urgent crisis after Lisse was diagnosed with aggressive MS that threatened complete paralysis. In January 2025, emergency hospitalization revealed major spinal lesions, and she was told she could lose all mobility within months. Desperate to save her life and health, they drained their life savings and fundraised to pursue a stem cell transplant in Mexico. While the treatment has halted the disease's progression, recovery requires one to two years of intensive care and therapy. Eight months in, Lisse continues to make slow gains alongside expected setbacks. With Zach unable to work since December 2024 to care for both Lisse and their 10-month-old daughter Effie, the family is drowning in mounting debt despite living on an extremely tight budget. Their income-assistance application is still pending after six months of waiting. They urgently need support to access therapies that could meaningfully accelerate Lisse's healing and provide their family with basic stability. Your help would ease their financial burden and allow them to focus on recovery and giving Effie the secure childhood she deserves.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Andrea Mundie RECIPIENT 3rd QUARTER 2025

By Brokers Who Care • November 3, 2025

Brokers Who Care voted and we are pleased to announce that we will be sending a cheque in the amount of $10,000 to Andrea Mundie our Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2025 vote. Thank you Marci Deanefor bringing this Cause to our attention. Andrea Mundie is a devoted mother of four—Rex, Dace, Clove, and Penn—facing the fight of her life. Already living with Stage 4 cancer, she has now been diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease, a rare and aggressive complication. Her priority is simple yet profound: to spend meaningful time with her children and create lasting memories while she can. To extend her time, Andrea has begun permanent chemotherapy. But the financial strain is overwhelming. Many of her most urgent needs are not covered by insurance. Funds raised will directly support: Health and wellness costs to ease her treatment Meals and home care for her children Educational expenses to secure their futures Despite her challenges, Andrea’s resilience shines. She celebrated her 50th birthday with loved ones, even while beginning chemotherapy. Soon after, she faced emergency surgery where her heart stopped and doctors cracked her ribs and sternum to save her life. Through it all, she has held onto positivity and humor. A grant from 100 Brokers Who Care would ease Andrea’s burden, giving her peace of mind and the ability to focus on what matters most—her children. Your support will provide comfort, dignity, and precious moments of love and memory.