Help Ella Fund

Ella Shepherd/Marchildon, a mother of 5 children here in Montreal, has contracted a rare form of cancer. Doctors advised Mrs. Marchildon to seek treatment at a specialized clinic in Washington D.C. A recent application to the RAMQ for financial support and authorization for treatment has been refused. The authorization process continues, but the family now needs financial help from the community, estimated at roughly $60,000, so that treatments can begin.

This news item just arrived from the Dollard Hockey mailing list and is posted here with permission from Joe Marchildon.

Help Ella Fund

• In May of 2003 Ella Shepherd/Marchildon a 44 year old mother to
  5 Children was diagnosed with a very rare form of Cancer, Signet Ring Cell.

• Although the doctors where unable to determine the primary source of the cancer they decided to treat the cancer as if the primary was a colon cancer.
• In August of 2003 Ella began a treatment of chemotherapy lasting one full year.
• She remained cancer free until November 2007.
• On November 30 2007 (coincidentally her birthday) pathology confirmed Signet Ring Cell Cancer had returned. The search for the primary source began again, but to no avail.
• On February 12th 2008 the surgeons were to remove her tumour. Unfortunately the surgeons were only able to remove her appendix. This was the primary source of the cancer. This cancer has been present in the appendix since 2003 and has spread into the small and large intestine.
• On February 14th 2008 doctors informed Ella that the best chance for a cure and prolonged life was to be treated at the Sugarbaker Oncology Clinic in Washington D.C.
  A specialized surgeon of this type is not available in Quebec. The Sugarbaker Clinic has a 10 year survival rate of almost 75% for patients whom they have preformed this procedure on.

Dr. Paul Sugarbaker has reviewed Ella’s medical dossier and has agreed to accept her for the medical intervention she requires. Ella’s application to RAMQ for financial support and authorization to be treated by Dr Sugarbaker has been refused. Ella has since forwarded RAMQ more pertinent information with regards to her file. In the meantime she is reaching out to her family and friends for support.

At the present time Ella’s survival is dependent on her receiving the following medical expertise as quickly as possible:

• Sugarbaker Procedure to remove all cancer from her small/large intestine.
• IPEC Chemotherapy
• Removal of Signet Ring Cell Tumour/Vaginal Wall
• Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy for 3 to 6 months

If you chose to review this procedure and treatment please feel free to go to the following website: www.surgicaloncology.net

Although final costs are unclear it does appear that $60,000.00 is a preliminary benchmark for this type of medical expertise.

How can you help?

• Donate funds to the HELP ELLA FUND by forwarding a cheque or money order to:

  
  
  

  HELP ELLA FUND 27 Eaton Street Kirkland, Quebec H9H 3S2

  
  Please forward a pledge of your donation to: joemarchildon@hotmail.com Be sure and include your name, address and amount donated.

• You may chose to donate a prize i.e. condo use at Tremblant for 2 Days, Canadian Hockey tickets etc. These prizes will be put up on silent email auction.
  Please forward a pledge of your donation to: joemarchildon@hotmail.com Be sure and include your name, address and estimated amount of your donation.

• You may be aware of a source of funding for such type of medical intervention. If so please forward the pertinent information and we will see that the proper application is forwarded.
  Please forward this information to: joemarchildon@hotmail.com.

• You may have a tremendous idea for fundraising. You may want to assist one of the groups who have begun fundraising. If so please forward your coordinates to:joemarchildon@hotmail.com.

  Ella and her family would like to thank you for your support.

  Posted with permission from Joe Marchildon