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 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.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Andrea Gibson 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 $3,000 to Andrea Gibson our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2025 vote. Thank you Katy Mackenzie for bringing this Cause to our attention. Andrea Gibson is a Self-Compassion and Mindset Coach, Dance Educator, and Mental Health Advocate who has dedicated her life to helping others thrive. Recently, Andrea received a life-altering diagnosis of breast cancer, requiring her to undergo chemotherapy, an upcoming double mastectomy, and radiotherapy continuing into 2025. As a self-employed professional and mother of two, Andrea will be unable to work during her treatment, creating significant financial strain for her family. Andrea’s work has empowered countless women to reconnect with themselves and live intentionally. As a leader in the dance community with over 30 years of experience, she has inspired young dancers to embrace their inner champion and develop mindset tools to navigate challenges both on and off the stage. Andrea’s authenticity, vulnerability, and humour have been instrumental in creating meaningful change in her community. Unfortunately, her cancer diagnosis temporarily halts this incredible work. Without the ability to earn income during her treatment, Andrea faces a challenging road ahead. A $10,000 donation would help alleviate the financial burden on her family, providing critical support during this difficult time. It would allow Andrea to focus on her recovery without the added stress of lost income, ensuring she can heal and ultimately return to her mission of empowering others with the same passion and dedication she’s always shown. Andrea has spent her life giving 1,000% of herself to her clients (including me!), her students, and her community. Now, she needs support to navigate this challenging chapter in her life. Your help will make an immediate and profound impact, providing the relief she needs as she faces cancer with courage and grace.

PROUD TO SUPPORT Daniel Natareno 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 Daniel Natareno our Recipient of the 2nd Quarter 2025 vote. Thank you Anthony contento and Michelle Campbell for bringing this Cause to our attention. Daniel Natareno, a well-known and deeply respected figure in the mortgage industry, is currently in the fight of his life against cancer. For the past 1.5 years, he’s faced this battle with strength and grace while receiving treatment abroad—far from work, but never far from hope. The financial toll is growing, and his family is struggling to keep up with mounting medical bills. A devoted father to Daniel Jr. (21), Damellys (20), and Allesandra (5), Daniel’s heart of gold, warm smile, and unwavering love for his children continue to shine through even the darkest days. Your support can help ease the financial burden and bring healing, hope, and stability to a man who has given so much to others. Let’s stand with Daniel and his family in this critical time.