Quebec mother raises funds for life-saving surgery – Montreal
A Montreal mother of two is raising money to fund life-saving surgery not available in Quebec to remove an extremely rare brain tumour, after the province’s Insurance Board (RAMQ) denied her coverage.
Celyn Harding-Jones is hosting an online auction, hoping to raise the $200,000 she needs to cover the cost of surgery from the world’s top expert in the United States.
“I’m fighting for my life, so I have no choice,” Harding-Jones said.
Harding-Jones suffers from an extremely rare brain tumor called a colloid cyst.
As a result, she said she suffered from extreme fatigue and pain, suddenly losing the use of her limbs and even consciousness, ending up in the emergency room multiple times.
The Quebec neurosurgeons she consulted admitted that they did not have the expertise to remove her tumor safely. They can only intervene when the tumor bursts, which could lead to its death.
Harding-Jones said that as a mother of two young children, she couldn’t take that risk and couldn’t wait any longer.
“My physical condition has deteriorated,” Harding-Jones said.
That’s why the Harding-Jones community stepped in to help.
Community members donated items, including works by well-known artists, and services such as singing lessons and a decluttering session.
Satay Brothers is donating gift certificates to the restaurant. “It was really a small thing that we could do to help him in such a difficult situation,” said Alex Winnicki, co-owner of Satay Brothers.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen and his wife Shannon are donating an autographed hockey stick and a pair of tickets to any Habs game.
“It’s just a simple thing that hopefully can do a lot for her and her family,” Allen said.
Harding-Jones was given a date for his operation in the United States: November 28.
The auction is his last attempt in the fight for his life and that of his family.
It closes on September 20.
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