Renae’s Story

A cancer diagnosis turns your world upside down. As you face so much uncertainty, it can feel impossible to hold onto hope. But in Saskatchewan, no one is alone in their cancer journey. Your donation to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan’s Patient Care and Comfort Fund shows cancer patients that you’ve got their back.

For Renae Morrison, a mother of two young children from Saskatoon, she credits donors to the Patient Care and Comfort Fund for helping her to build a life beyond cancer.

In November 2022, at the age of 39, Renae was devastated to learn she had breast cancer. She made the brave decision to undergo a double mastectomy, avoiding the need for chemotherapy or radiation. But a year later, in a cruel twist of fate, a new tumor was found – cancer had returned.

Fear and anger filled Renae as chemotherapy and radiation became necessary. Would she have to stop working? How would she care for herself, let alone her children? As she says, “Supporting cancer patients isn’t just about physical well-being. It’s about supporting emotional and mental health too. Knowing that someone cares gives you the strength to keep going.”

Renae joined many of the supportive care programs offered at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre to stay physically strong and mentally positive. Many of these programs and services are funded by your donations to our Patient Care & Comfort Fund, including yoga, physical therapy, and music therapy. For patients with individualized care needs, your donations provide nutritional supports and supportive medications. For Renae, her experience at the Wig Boutique was particularly special.

In a private, supportive space, Renae was able to try on wigs at her own pace, without the stress of crowded waiting rooms. She was given a new wig, along with shampoo, conditioner, and a wig comb – all at no cost. This thoughtful, compassionate service saved her hundreds of dollars and gave her a much-needed boost of confidence.

Today, even though Renae is cancer-free, she continues to participate in supportive care programs, including the Cancer Transitions Program which gives patients resources to heal physically, emotionally and mentally from cancer. You can help patients like Renae to build a life beyond cancer through your donation to the Patient Care & Comfort Fund.

Your one-time or monthly gift will make a direct impact by covering everyday expenses like groceries, fuel, parking, and medications that are not covered, while also funding vital programs like music therapy, physiotherapy, yoga, and wigs to support cancer patients’ emotional well-being.

Cancer is expensive. On average, cancer costs families nearly $33,000 – expenses like medications, travel for rural patients, and lost wages can quickly add up. But your donation to the Patient Care & Comfort Fund eases that strain, allowing patients like Renae to focus on healing, not on how they’ll make ends meet.

Your gift to the Patient Care & Comfort Fund offers hope, strength, and the promise that no one will face cancer alone. You can help others to face cancer with confidence. Please donate today.

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