During my cancer journey since being diagnosed in August 2024, I’ve never been so aware of my privilege, so grateful for being Canadian and more so being Manitoban. While dealing with the emotional, mental and physical challenges of this disease, going through radiation, chemotherapy and now a life altering surgery, the one thing I haven’t had to worry about is how to pay for it all… How to pay for any of it.

I’m very very blessed.

Here in Manitoba Canada…

– 100% of my radiation treatments, medical appointments, chemotherapy drugs have been paid for. Not by my third party insurance but by Manitoba Health and Cancer Care

– All of my side effect management medication has been 100% covered too

– All of my ostomy supplies will be covered through Cancer Care

– Cancer Care Manitoba has given me unlimited access to a social worker, an oncology dietician and a nurse navigator to help me through the system.

– when I’m away for surgery my third party insurance will cover some of the costs for accommodations for my family to be near me and Cancer Care can help with logistics and transportation.

– while I’m off work, I qualify for disability leave and if I’m off longer than EI allows, I have long term disability options to help maintain partial income while I recover

I’m extremely blessed. Going through this disease is hard enough without worrying about how to pay for life saving treatments, medications, logistics, how to pay your bills or feed your family.

But not all families are as lucky as me.

Not all families battling cancer have third party or disability insurance to cover gaps. Not all provinces cover cancer medications, provide additional support or cover ostomy supplies (this could be over $500/month alone).

Some families can’t afford to take time off work, some patients work through the whole ordeal, not because they want to but because they have to. Some parents can’t be with their child in the hospital because they just can’t afford to travel.

This is the reality of living with cancer and many other life altering diseases.

I know that we are bombarded with requests for donations and fundraising for weddings, sports even honeymoons and vacations are becoming more and more common. Go fund me has made digital panhandling commonplace and socially acceptable if not morally ambiguous.

I know that the money families have to donate is limited so I’m asking you… With whatever funds you have available to donate this year, please choose your causes carefully. Prioritize needs over wants and you can change a family’s life.

Please consider the Canadian Cancer Society as a recipient of your generosity I’ve personally seen the difference they make.

~ Michelle Budiwski

February 26, 2025

#charitystartswithyou #youcanmakeadifference