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 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.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Stephanie Salamandy 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 Stephanie Salamandyk our Recipient of the 3rd Quarter 2025 vote. Thank you Rosa Bovino for bringing this Cause to our attention. Stephanie Salamandyk, niece of our industry partner Kim Lentowitsch (BDM, Canada Guaranty), was diagnosed with rectal cancer in early 2024. Relentlessly advocating for her own health, she finally got answers and in May underwent emergency colostomy surgery after a tumor caused nearly 100% blockage. She began chemotherapy in July in hopes of shrinking the tumor enough to proceed with further surgeries, including a future reconnection of her colon. Stephanie and her high school sweetheart, Jesse, have been married for 12 years and are raising three young boys—Jackson (11), Lincoln (6), and Parker (3)—along with their two dogs, Peppe and Maymay. Active in her community, Stephanie was recently nominated as president of her local community center. Despite her strength and commitment, her illness has left the family facing financial strain. As a part-time contract worker, she does not receive EI or disability benefits. Jesse, a long-haul truck driver and the family’s primary income earner, will need to take unpaid time off to support Stephanie and care for their boys. A grant would provide much-needed financial relief, easing the burden and allowing Stephanie to focus on healing and family during this challenging time.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Brodziak Family RECIPIENT 2ND QUARTER 2025

By Brokers Who Care • June 24, 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 Brodziak Family our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2025 vote. Thank you Crystal Mamchur for bringing this Cause to our attention. On August 13, 2024, Ryan Brodziak’s life changed forever. While walking with his 11-month-old son, Ozzy, and their puppy, Gouda, an out-of-control vehicle struck them on the sidewalk. Ryan suffered a severe spinal cord injury, resulting in quadriplegia, while Ozzy sustained a skull fracture and a broken arm. Six months later, Ryan remains in intensive rehabilitation after months in the ICU and multiple surgeries. His journey is uncertain, requiring daily effort to regain strength and adjust to life with a spinal cord injury. His wife, Bailey, has been his unwavering support, balancing new motherhood with being Ryan’s primary caregiver and advocate. She has put her career on hold, navigating hospital stays, rehab programs, and financial stress—all while ensuring a loving home for Ozzy. Ryan has always given back. As the former owner of The Local Omnivore, Gravy, and Gorilla restaurants, he built community spaces and organized charity events, including an annual Bikeathon to support Edmonton’s unhoused population. He has always stepped up for others—now, he and his family need that same support. A Brokers Who Care grant would be life-changing, helping with critical home modifications, rehabilitation costs, and mobility equipment. Just as importantly, it would provide financial relief for Bailey, allowing her to focus on their family’s well-being without overwhelming financial strain. This isn’t just about helping one person—it’s about lifting a family who has given so much to their community.