Thank you

 We are always delighted to receive letters of thanks from grateful recipients! Cancer Crossing recently got such a letter from a man with cancer, who we had been privileged to assist. He said the best part was learning that there were those who cared enough to help a complete stranger in his time of need. We are so grateful to all of you who support our work through donations and through our fund raising efforts.

He continued in his remarks by saying he was impressed with the competence of the techs, doctors and nurses who work in the cancer treatment programs. He concluded by saying how he was thankful to live in Canada.

Please continue to help Manitobans with cancer, by donating at https://cancercrossing.com/ We are a registered charity, tax deductible receipts are sent for your donations.

Get your tickets now!

 Who needs a laugh? We all do! Come out and enjoy a light hearted evening of fun while supporting Cancer Crossing so we can help more Manitobans with cancer. Get your tickets today! https://cancercrossing.com/

Grateful woman

 A woman with cancer wrote to thank Cancer Crossing for financial help for the cost of transportation to Winnipeg for treatment. She said her nurse navigator helped her apply and urged other cancer patients to ask for whatever help they may need. She was very grateful for the kindness shown to her at a difficult time. We are a registered charity and provide tax receipts for your donations. https://cancercrossing.com/

Lobster dinner photos

 In case you missed it, here are some photos of our Lobster Dinner fundraiser on August 21st at North Garden Restaurant. It was an evening of fabulous food and entertainment in aid of cancer patients in Manitoba. We are grateful for your support! All net proceeds aid people in need.

Comedy night fundraiser

 Get your tickets now for our upcoming fundraiser at Rumor's Comedy Club. All proceeds go toward supporting Manitoba cancer patients with expenses that are not covered by MHSC. Many people must travel long distances for treatment and transportation costs and hotels are not covered. Help relieve some of that stress by joining us for a fun night out. Go to https://cancercrossing.com/ to buy your tickets.

Hope for the future

 Cancer Crossing received a note of thanks from a grateful gentleman. He said the support helped them with the cost of gas for travel to treatment and encouraged others in need to apply for financial assistance. He continued by saying that having cancer made him stop and think about his future. While he is done chemo and radiation for now, the cancer is not gone, yet neither has it spread. He is feeling optimistic. You can help us give Manitobans with cancer hope for their future by donating at https://cancercrossing.com/, charitable donation tax receipts are provided.

Comedy night October 3rd

 Have we got a fun and funny night coming up for you! Saturday October 3rd at Rumor's Comedy Club, 2025 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg. Tickets are $25 each. Get your tickets now! All proceeds to help cancer patients in Manitoba.

HPV and Cervical cancer screening in Manitoba

 Cervical cancer is NOT just a woman's issue! It can affect men too, as it can be passed through HPV infection and can cause penis cancer and cause genital warts in all genders.

In Manitoba cervical cancer testing is done through Cervix Check. https://www.cancercare.mb.ca/screening/info/cervix. All women are eligible for a screening test, called a pap test, every three years from age 21 to 69. A pap test involves the person lying down, a speculum inserted into the vagina to hold it open and a small swab is used to collect cells from the cervix. It is quick and painless, although it can sometimes be a little uncomfortable. Your family doctor can do this for you or you can go to the cancer screening clinic near you. In Winnipeg there are at least 10 clinics and there are many more throughout the province. Simply enter your postal code on the screening clinic website to find a facility near you. No referral is necessary.

An abnormal pap test is not cause for alarm. The next step is either to wait and repeat the test in a few months or to have a biopsy, called a colposcopy, taken. Most commonly an abnormal pap test is due to inflammation, infection or minor non-cancerous changes. If it happens to be cancer the next steps would involve removing it, beginning with a minor procedure in a doctors office and graduating up to a total hysterectomy, depending on stage. It is not necessary for women aged 70 and over to be screened as cervical cancer develops slowly and at this age, the risk is very low as long as previous pap smears were normal.

Many abnormal changes in the cervix, including most cervical cancer is due to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections. HPV is transmitted through sexual contact and Manitoba Health provides free vaccination to both males and females beginning at age 12. It is important to be vaccinated before first sexual activity for better protection, although it can be given later as well. Being vaccinated can prevent cancer! It's important for parents to realize that their children will eventually become sexually active and helping protect them from cancer is a gift. As the new school year is starting, another new cohort of students will become eligible for the HPV vaccine. https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/hpv.html

Thank you

 Not long ago we received a heartfelt response from a woman to whom we provided some financial assistance. She wrote:

1. How did Cancer Crossing’s support make a difference to you?

a. The funds provided by Cancer Crossing allowed me to breathe just a little

easier for a few weeks. I really appreciated the funds provided in the tough

times I was in and currently in. Every little amount has helped.

2. What advice would you give to a newly diagnosed patient?

a. To provide advice to a newly diagnosed patient is difficult. As many handle

the news so differently and they have to learn to digest / accept the

diagnoses.

Personally, I would not have advice as I would be in a position to listen to

understand, if the patient wanted / needed to talk. Listening to understand,

rather than to respond makes a difference for me and hopefully the newly

diagnosed patient.

3. What surprised you the most about your cancer journey?

a. My biggest surprise is that the friends I have who we consider family, have

been too busy to visit, to call, to facetime, text, check in, etc. Understandably

life continues for those who aren’t in the position I am in, however not

showing up in some form has been a huge surprise for me. We were in each

other’s lives daily, checking in, always doing something with them for 25+

years, 10+ years. To go from that, to absolutely nothing. Huge surprise and

HUGE disappointment. Thankfully, my partner (of eight years) and a former

colleague (of three years) have been a constant in my life. They have been

authentic / genuine with their support, kindness and patience, definitely not

forced. Can’t say the same for others. Thankfully, that I do have a support.

Young woman with colon cancer

 Recently we were told of a young patient with colon cancer. She unfortunately has a genetic cancer, which is aggressive. There is nothing she could do to prevent this except what she had been doing - have regular colonoscopies. Fortunately she was able to have surgery in just two weeks and is now undergoing chemotherapy. She is feeling positive about her recovery and is ready to soon say that she is cancer free! The problem is that she had been unemployed for less than two months at time of diagnosis and has been unable to job hunt while she undergoes treatment. This is where Cancer Crossing has been privileged to step in to provide some help. Our small contribution is helping her to focus on her health. We rely on people like you to donate so that we can help others. Please go to http://www.cancercrossing.org/. Tax deductible receipts are provided.

Interlake man

 Recently Cancer Crossing was asked to assist at retired gentleman from the Interlake area. He has head and neck cancer and must travel to Winnipeg for treatment. This involves 35 trips from his home, north of Gimli, which puts a lot of pressure on his retirement income. His wife is also on CPP and OAS and yet must continue to work part time in order to help make ends meet. Besides the burden of finances, he is receiving radiation and chemotherapy at the same time, which is taking a physical toll. Luckily his cancer social worker reached out and we were able to provide some financial relief as long as our best wishes for a return to full health.

Please help your fellow Manitobans in need by donating at https://cancercrossing.com/ We are a registered charity, tax deductible receipts are provided.

LAST CHANCE!

 The big lobster dinner fundraiser is tomorrow! It's your last chance to buy tickets NOW.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cancer-crossing-inc/events/lobster-reloaded/

8 Days til the lobster dinner

 EIGHT DAYS until our lobster dinner fundraiser. Buy your tickets now before we are sold out!

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cancer-crossing-inc/events/lobster-reloaded/

Young girl with brain tumour

 We were sad to hear of an elementary school aged girl with a brain tumour. She has two younger siblings and they live together with both parents. Her dad has taken time off work to take care of her and is receiving EI-caregiver benefits, which means a substantial drop in income. Her mom stays at home to care for the little ones. The family is struggling to keep up and have fallen behind on some utility payments. Understandably their main focus has been caring for their sick daughter. She has finished radiation therapy and is starting chemotherapy. This is difficult to go through and more so for a child who may not understand what is happening. Fortunately Cancer Crossing was able to provide financial assistance so they could pay their bills. Thank you for your donations for Manitobans living with cancer. https://cancercrossing.com/

Yummy lobster dinner!

 Only TWO WEEKS until our lobster dinner fundraiser! August 21, 6:30 pm at North Garden Restaurant, 33 University Crescent, Winnipeg. Your $200 ticket gets you a 6 course lobster meal (non lobster option available with prior notice), live entertainment, a 50/50 draw and a $100 charitable donation tax receipt.

Buy your tickets now at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cancer-crossing-inc/events/lobster-reloaded/

Thank you for your continued support for Manitobans living with cancer.

Interlake man with prostate cancer

 Cancer Crossing has recently been pleased to be able to help a man from the interlake area. He is in his early 60s and newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. He must travel to Winnipeg, a total distance of over 2200 km for all the radiation treatments he is scheduled to receive. This gentleman is on CPP disability payments and is not yet eligible for OAS. His wife is also collecting a small CPP pension and is continuing to work to help provide. There is no volunteer driver program in their community. The burden they are both under is considerable, both financially and physically.

You too can help us to help Manitobans with cancer by donating at https://cancercrossing.com/. We are a registered charity and tax receipts are provided.

Lobster dinner August 21

 Doesn't a lobster dinner sound great?! You can get your seafood fix AND support Cancer Crossing at the same time. Please join us for our Lobster Dinner fundraiser at North Garden Restaurant, 33 University Crescent, Winnipeg on Friday August 21 at 6:30 pm.

A six course meal will be served (non-lobster options available with prior notice), there will be live music and a 50/50 draw. Tickets are $200 per person with a $100 charitable tax receipt provided to you.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cancer-crossing-inc/events/lobster-reloaded/

Thank you for your continued support for Manitobans with cancer, in need of financial assistance.

It's the lobster dinner fundraiser!

 The lobster dinner fundraiser is back! Join us on Friday August 21 at 6:30 pm. Enjoy live music and a wonderful lobster dinner (vegetarian and non-lobster options available by advance notice) at North Garden Restaurant, 33 University Crescent, Winnipeg. $200 a plate, with a $100 charitable tax receipt. See you there!

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cancer-crossing-inc/events/lobster-reloaded/

Woman with bladder cancer

Cancer Crossing was approached to assist a woman in her 70s, living in Brandon. She was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer and must travel to Winnipeg for surgery. Her pension is very small and her budget is very tight. There simply is no way to pay for transport to Winnipeg and for 2 nights in a hotel. She doesn't know anyone in Winnipeg so cannot call on anyone for a place to stay. Fortunately Cancer Crossing was able to provide some relief so that she can get the care that she needs. You too can help cancer patients in need by donating at https://cancercrossing.com/. We are a registered charity and provide tax deductible receipts for your donations.

Lobster dinner fundraiser

 The lobster dinner fundraiser is back! Join us on Friday August 21 at 6:30 pm. Enjoy live music and a wonderful lobster dinner at North Garden Restaurant, 33 University Crescent, Winnipeg. $200 a plate, with a $100 charitable tax receipt. See you there!

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cancer-crossing-inc/events/lobster-reloaded/

Surviving childhood cancer

 The Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) is a collaborative group that works together for the childhood cancer community. They have recently made changes and updates to their CAC2 Survivorship Toolkit, supporting survivors of childhood cancer no matter their current age, as well as their families and those providing care for them. They provide information about long term side effects and late effects of the childhood cancer experience for the whole family. Resources are available throughout the six different categories: Educational Guidance and Planning; Insurance and Financial Health; Physical Health and Late Effects; Psychosocial and Emotional Health; Transitioning to Adulthood; and Wellness and Healthy Behaviors.

The Survivor Toolkit is available for free to all, no membership is required.

https://www.cac2.org/

https://www.cac2.org/survivorship-resources/

If you have questions you may send email to survivorship@cac2.org

Lobster dinner fundraiser

Coming soon and back by popular demand! Our lobster dinner fundraiser is on Friday, August 21st at 6:30 pm. It will take place at North Garden Restaurant, 33 University Crescent.

We will have a 6 course meal, live entertainment and 50/50 raffle tickets for sale. $200 per plate, and a $100 per plate tax receipt will be issued. If you prefer a non-lobster or vegetarian meal please give advance notice so that we can accommodate you. Proceeds from the fundraiser help support cancer patients in financial need.

Buy your tickets here https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cancer-crossing-inc/events/lobster-reloaded/

Prostate Cancer Screening

 Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer (aside from non-melanoma skin cancers) for men in Canada. While there is no formal screening program in Manitoba, men are encouraged to get a simple blood test each year that can detect prostate cancer. This blood test is for Prostate Specific Antigen and it is recommended for men aged 50 and over, and younger if there is a family history of prostate cancer or if you are of African-Canadian heritage. Most family doctors will suggest this blood test or you can ask for it.

Another option is to bypass your family doctor and go to Manitoba Men's Health Clinic. You can even book an appointment online. https://mhclinic.ca/prostate-cancer-screening/

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate. It is elevated if you have prostate cancer. Unfortunately it is an imperfect test and some men with cancer can have a normal PSA and some men who do not have cancer can have a high PSA. It is important to consider the overall health of the man and not just focus on the PSA result. This is why some doctors will repeat a PSA test after an interval of time to see if the result is higher or lower than before. Additionally doctors will also do a digital rectal exam to determine if the prostate is enlarged. It is particularly important to use the blood test as a screening tool in men who have a longer life expectancy. It is less valuable as a test of men in what is expected to be their last decade of life. The biggest benefit of the blood test is for men in their 50s and 60s as it has lead to a lower mortality rate and better outcomes due to the cancer being detected earlier.

If your results are normal nothing further need to be done, except to repeat the test yearly. If it is abnormal or if a physical exam suggests an enlarged prostate you will be referred to the Dr. Ernest W. Ramsey Manitoba Prostate Centre for further testing. This is the provincial centre for prostate diseases. They have a whole team of professionals that will provide assessments, diagnosis, treatment and support.

Prostate cancer is highly survivable especially with an early diagnosis. Treatments are improving and expanding all the time, giving most men a very good outcome and many more good years with their loved ones. Over 90% of men survive 5 years after diagnosis and almost 100% of men survive if diagnosed in the first 3 stages of prostate cancer. Please ensure a similar outcome by asking your doctor for a PSA blood test. Do not wait!

Letter of thanks

 A gentleman wrote a nice letter of thanks. He said Cancer Crossing helped him at a time when it was needed the most. He was grateful also for all the help from the cancer team and his advice to others is to never give up! Help us to help more Manitobans with cancer, by donating at https://cancercrossing.com/. You will receive a tax deductible receipt.

International student in Winnipeg

 Imagine being in Winnipeg on a student visa, far from home. Your wife and two young children are with you but everything and everyone else that is familiar and comforting to you is far away. Then you are diagnosed with cancer and the floor drops out beneath you. This was the case for a university student here. He is undergoing an intensive treatment program here. Unfortunately the compounded pain medications he needs are not covered by Manitoba Health nor the Home Cancer Drug Program. Fortunately Cancer Care was able to step in and assist with costs so that he can concentrate on his health. Help us to help others that fall through the cracks. Donate at https://cancercrossing.com/, you will receive a tax deductible receipt.

Thank you

 We at Cancer Crossing enjoy reading the letters of thanks sent by grateful recipients. A woman wrote us to tell us how very much she appreciated the swift response and financial assistance that she received. Her advice to others who are diagnosed with cancer is to stay calm and relaxed and stay positive. Please donate so that we can continue to help others, a tax receipt will be given. https://cancercrossing.com/

Woman with two different cancers

 Cancer Crossing was recently approached to help a woman in her mid-70s. She lives in western Manitoba and she has both lymphoma and lung cancer. She lives in a small town and must travel to all her appointments. She had been going to Brandon but must now travel to Winnipeg for treatment for the newly diagnosed lung cancer. What a double blow! She has a lot to deal with by herself, as she lives alone. It's a lot for anyone to cope with and we were happy that we could help lift some of the financial burden she has been experiencing. Your donations help Cancer Crossing to help Manitobans living with cancer. Please give generously at https://cancercrossing.com/. A tax deductible receipt will be given.

Colon cancer screening, part two

 Colon cancer screening - the colonoscopy.

Here is what happens if you are referred for a colonoscopy. You will be asked to not consume corn or seeds like poppy seeds for a week before your procedure. You will be fasting the entire day before your colonoscopy. That means you may have clear broth (no veggies, no rice or noodles, only broth), jell-o except red or purple, popsicles except red or purple, coffee or tea - sweetener or sugar is allowed but milk or cream is not. You may not eat any other foods for this entire day. You will be asked to drink one glass of water every hour.

You will need to buy a "lyte" prep at the pharmacy. Pro tip, if you are over 50 you probably qualify for a discount at the pharmacy, usually one day a week. The prep costs about $50 so if you get your discount you can save about $10. Plan ahead by buying your prep on whatever day your pharmacy gives discounts in order to save a little money. Mix the prep on the morning you will start taking it and refrigerate it. Drinking the prep is the hardest part of this all and if it is cold it will go down easier.

You will start your bowel prep the day before your appointment, at either 4 pm if you have a morning appointment or 6 pm if you have an afternoon appointment for your colonoscopy. Instructions may vary a little but overall you drink one cup of the bowel prep solution every 15 minutes for two hours. This will be a total of 2 liters. Then you take a two hour break. After two hours you will start drinking one cup of prep every 15 minutes for 2 hours, until you finish the entire container of prep solution. It helps to set a timer to keep on track as you must finish 2 liters of prep within 2 hours. Note, if you have an afternoon appointment for your procedure you will wait until the following morning to drink the second course of prep solution. This solution will empty your bowels so plan on staying home and close to the bathroom. It's not uncomfortable but you will have sudden urges to "go".

The day of your procedure you may consume liquids only, up to 4 hours before your appointment. You may not drink anything after that, and of course no solid food this day until after your colonoscopy.

You will arrive at the clinic or hospital one hour before your scheduled appointment. You will be asked to undress and wear a hospital gown. You will have an EKG depending on your age, your blood pressure and heart rate will be taken. Then they will start an IV line so it is ready to be hooked up when you go into the procedure room. Once you are ready you will be taken in for your colonoscopy. The doctor will review your medical history and reason for colonoscopy. The nurses will hook up your IV and give you sedation. Then the procedure starts but you will be unaware of what is happening. This is not a general anaesthetic, it is conscious sedation. You will be able to respond to staff but you will not remember a thing. Next you will wake up back in the recovery room. It takes 20 minutes or so to fully be aware of your surroundings. You will be hooked up to a monitor and nurses will make sure you are ok. They will call your contact person to come pick you up. You may not drive yourself since you had been sedated. The staff will inform your of your colonoscopy results and will give you a printed copy and send a copy to your doctor. Once you are fully awake you may get dressed and go home.

If you are uneasy with the whole idea, remember that colonoscopies save lives! Polyps can be removed during the procedure so they never turn into cancer. If there are any lesions viewed they can be removed in further surgery or can be treated with medications. The worst part of the whole thing is drinking the prep. You will not have any pain from the colonoscopy nor any memory of it.