When Innisfil resident Paula Chamberlain beat breast cancer five years ago, she thought the worst was behind her.
In summer 2019, she was feeling pain in her spine and tailbone. Doctors turned her away, insisting everything was fine.
But Chamberlain knew something wasn’t right and persisted to have an MRI done.
That’s where cancer was discovered all over her spine, cracking her bones, spreading into her lungs. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
Despite the grim news, she was determined to keep working at her job while undergoing treatment to keep her mind preoccupied.
Because the cancer was diagnosed at such an advanced stage, and with limited benefits, Chamberlain needed to start with chemotherapy right away, with therapies costing anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 per month.
But just recently, the cancer has spread to her brain and hips, putting her out of work and in a very weak state. She goes to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie daily for radiation treatments and is doing her best to remain positive.
Chamberlain has a husband, a 13-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter, and community supporting her throughout her battle.
Her friend of eight years, Gail Davies recently started a GoFundMe page to help get her friend the equipment and therapy needed to help her feel more comfortable at home while she battles the disease.
Chamberlain and Davies met at a local dance studio where their daughters took classes together.
Since then, their families have remained good friends.
“I am kind of like her daughter’s dance mom,” said Davies. “Within dance, you build this big relationship.”
Chamberlain recently suffered from five falls due to nerve damage and Davies is hoping to get her equipment such as shower bars which will provide more stability for her around the house.
So far, the friends, family and community members have raised more than $21,000 for Chamberlain.
“She’s not the type of person that ever asks for help,” said Davies, explaining that she had to practically beg Chamberlain to let her start the GoFundMe page. “She’s been trekking through it with good spirits.”
Neighbours on Sandalwood Court have pulled together to make sure Chamberlain has fresh cooked meals everyday and groceries in the house, and driving their children to and from outdoor activities.
Most recently, a former neighbour Jenn Pistillo set up a garden outside Chamberlain’s house. Pistillio’s new neighbours in Nobleton are Joe and Nadia Corapi, of Beech Nursery in Toronto, and they wanted to do something to help and donated plants and flowers to help lift her spirits.
A local bakery in town, which did not want to be named, also stops by and drops off treats to her house every Saturday and donates a portion of their sales to the fundraiser.
“I think it just goes to show you during this COVID-19, what everyone’s going through, someone’s going through it way worse,” Davies said.
Davies says it’s been difficult fundraising, too, with limitations on gatherings and events. She has had to rely heavily on online donations.
“Online is all I have,” she said. “Every little bit counts.”
Davies also wants to use her friend’s story to serve as a lesson to others when it comes to getting a diagnosis.
“If you feel like something’s wrong, you need to push and push until you get an answer,” she said.
Chamberlain is thankful for all the support she has received from her friend and the community.
"I am truly grateful and overwhelmed by the generosity of the community," she said. "In my time of need, I have only had to open my eyes to this as it would seem it has been here along."
Anyone looking to help support Chamberlain can make a donation on the GoFundMe page here.
