Last summer the Classic family heard the words no one wants to hear: “It’s cancer.”
Aaron Classic joined the Hamilton, Ontario, Market Center as an agent in February 2022. His wife, Kim, is a teacher. Together they have two young boys.
Fighting the Fight
In August 2022, Kim felt a lump on her chest. Since she had just stopped breastfeeding, her doctor recommended she go in for a routine mammogram.
“I could tell the moment the ultrasound tech came in. She kept clicking on the scan—click, click, click—then she said ‘I’ll be right back.’ At that point, I just knew.” —Kim Classic
At age 32, Kim was diagnosed with Stage 3 Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma in her left breast, with additional tumors within the left quadrant of her breast. She received 8 sessions of chemotherapy over 16 weeks, which left her exhausted and unable to spend the kind of time with her kids that she had in the past.
“We called my chemo ‘Mommy’s Big Medicine’ since we didn’t want to scare the kids. ‘Oh, Mommy’s tired from her Big Medicine.’ We always had something planned for them so they were distracted and not wondering where I was.” —Kim Classic
A Significant Loss of Income
Seven months into her journey, Kim underwent a double mastectomy. After recovering for six weeks, she began radiation treatment. Thankfully, Kim’s cancer did not metastasize to distant areas. But due to her advanced local disease, her medical team chose an aggressive treatment plan, which left her in need of help at home.
Aaron has not been able to work as consistently as he would like due to caregiving for Kim and their young children.
Thankfully, medical expenses have been covered under OHIP and a supplemental insurance policy available through Kim’s employment.
But that doesn’t make up for lost income. Aaron took out a line of credit to help cover living expenses but their needs are more than he has been able to handle without help.
So Aaron’s Market Center referred him to us.
How You Help through KW Cares
KW Cares was able to provide funds to help cover living expenses for the Classic family during Kim’s treatment.
“The KW Cares grant was a massive, massive relief. It’s given us 6 months of not having to worry about how I’m going to pay my bills or my mortgage.” —Aaron Classic
Your gifts to KW Cares help families like the Classics during life-altering circumstances like a cancer diagnosis. Please donate today!