It was less than a year after Bobby and Becky Burgess were married that the newlyweds received the devastating news that Becky had breast cancer.
After going through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Becky came out of the ordeal with a clean bill of health, and her visits to the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton came to a close.
Two years after her diagnosis, Becky and Bobby received a different kind of news, this time, for the good – Becky was pregnant. To add to the surprise, given Becky’s previous health history, the couple became pregnant a second time, and they are now the proud parents of an almost-three-year-old daughter, and a one-and-a-half-year-old son.
This spring, following Becky’s return to work as a paramedic, she hurt her back while at work, and was diagnosed with an injury to her discs. But, as time went on, the injury didn’t heal, and following subsequent tests, Becky and Bobby received the news that no one wants to hear – the cancer had returned.
A scan revealed cancer had spread into her spine, and there were spots on her liver. On Aug. 25, the couple found out that it was in fact cancer.
On Sept. 1, Becky met with a doctor at the Cross Cancer, and was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Doctors have given Becky, who is only in her early 30s, an estimate of about two years before the cancer takes her life.
“As an RCMP wife and paramedic, Becky has dedicated her life to helping others,” reads a GoFundMe page that was set up by Becky’s sister, Angela Potts, shortly after the family received the news.
“Whether it's making sure RCMP members and their families have a place to go for Christmas dinner, or checking in on people who may need support, or just going out of her way to keep in touch with everyone she's ever met throughout her life, Becky puts everyone else first,” writes Angela.
The GoFundMe page was created on Sept. 2, the day after Becky’s visit to the Cross Cancer. The initial goal of the page was set to $25,000, and just 13 hours later, that goal had already been surpassed.
The goal was then changed to $50,000, and four days after the page was originally created, over $60,000 had been raised for the Burgess family.
Not willing to give up, Bobby and Becky began exploring alternate options for treatment, after receiving the prognosis at the Cross Cancer. While he admits he is a very “fact-based” thinker, Bobby says it wasn’t until he met some first-hand survivors in the area that he began to believe the alternate treatments could possibly work.
But, the treatments aren’t available in Canada. And as of late last week, Bobby and Becky were planning to hop on a plane on Monday, and head south to seek treatment in Mexico.
The trip wouldn’t have been possible without the quick thinking of Becky’s sister to start the GoFundMe page, followed by the immediate response from friends and family who are throwing their support behind the young family.
“It’s pretty amazing,” says Bobby, when speaking of the funds that have been raised. And while it’s surreal to see the support shown, Bobby admits that in a way, it isn’t surprising.
“I’d like to say that I didn’t expect it,” says Bobby But, when looking at the friends, family, and coworkers, who are part of the Burgess’ lives, he soon realized that it isn’t that surprising at all.
“We would have never expected anyone to give, but knowing the people in our lives, I should have known better.”
When speaking about the outpouring of support, Bobby isn’t afraid to admit that he gets emotional. He says there aren’t any words that can properly describe how the family feels, and how the funding has relieved the stress that can often be associated with finances in these types of situations.
Having gone through treatments once already, Bobby and Becky were aware of the challenges ahead. But, Bobby also notes that reality only sunk in when the pair received the one to two-year prognosis, and was told they didn’t have any options for treatment.
Through conversations with friends, Bobby and Becky met up with some local people who had received similar diagnosis, but sought treatment south of the border. But, the pair did some research, and decided to contact Dr Castillo’s cancer clinic in Tijuana, Mexico.
Becky and Bobby will stay in San Diego, and cross the border daily for Becky to receive treatments. Bobby has decided to take two months off from work as an RCMP officer, and dedicate the time to his wife and family.
While the pair is gone, they will rely on friends and family to care for their young children, whom they hope will be able to join them in San Diego once they secure accommodations.
“We are overwhelmed and excited to get down there and start treatments,” says Becky. She notes that while she has seen other people receive an outpouring of support from the community in the past, the feeling to personally be the one to receive the support is something she could have never imagined.
“I don’t think people can even imagine how much of a stress relief this is.”
