Presented by RBC Wealth Management, Wellspring’s Well Dressed for Spring is a fashion event like no other. Hosted by Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker on March 27, 2024, the evening features models who have been touched by cancer, either having been diagnosed themselves or as a caregiver to someone with cancer. For more info, visit: https://give.wellspring.ca/event/welldressed
Cancer has long been a part of Wellspring member, Dorisa’s life.
She knew the impact a diagnosis could have on a family when at 19, her cousin, Mirvet, who was like a sister to Dorisa, was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and about 11 years ago, Dorisa’s childhood friend, Laura, was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, nothing could prepare Dorisa for what was to come later in life.
During lockdown, Dorisa’s son Alex, who was nine at the time, experienced severe nosebleeds that lasted several hours. He was taken to the hospital in late November 2020, where after a traumatic procedure that caused him to flatline and remain in a coma for over a week, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. Both Alex and Dorisa stayed at the hospital for almost 4 months in complete isolation—they could only identify the doctors by their voices.
This cancer diagnosis was incredibly hard on the Nachla family, particularly being in isolation from the world during Covid. However, Dorisa, Alex, and their beautiful family are now very grateful to be transitioning into a “new” normal life. Alex finished his treatment in May 2023 and is attending school again. However, having missed three years of school, this is no easy feat. It is socially, mentally, and physically challenging – at a time in his life he’s supposed to be a worry-free kid.
These are the nuances to cancer, particularly in a young child, that are often overlooked—the daily struggles and trauma are still very raw for a lot of people who have lived the cancer experience.
But the importance of family support and hope cannot be understated. “When Alex was diagnosed, it gave me immense hope that if my cousin survived cancer 30 years ago, surely Alex will make it through this to the other side,” says Dorisa.
While there are still deep emotional scars we cannot see, Alex has made it through to the other side thanks to his incredible family and their unwavering support.
Dorisa and Alex are walking in this Wellspring’s 2024 Well Dressed for Spring event.
