Teresa Ottenbreit (nee Penney), originally from the Langbank area and now living in Alberta, has been quietly battling cancer for several years.
According to a GoFundMe campaign that is underway for her, she has never complained nor asked for help. Ottenbreit is an amazing woman; generous, kind, loving, goofy, intelligent and incredibly strong.
“She is the rock of her family, loving partner to Billy, and nurturing mother to Devron, Nick, Carver, and Wristyn,” the campaign states.
She was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in May 2017. Due to the location of the tumor, surgery was needed and at that time she started chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the treatments were unsuccessful and the cancer metastasized to the lungs and other areas of the body.
In July 2020, she underwent a second life-saving surgery that was very high risk to remove a mass that had spread very quickly through her ovaries and appendix.
Ottenbreit then decided to approach her treatments holistically with an integrative approach that includes alternative and conventional medicines.
She receives a number of treatments each week. Many of the current treatments are not covered by Alberta Healthcare and are quite expensive. Her supportive partner Billy has been her primary caregiver as her care needs are significant, leaving them without a consistent source of income.
“We are kindly asking for support, to help Teresa on her journey to health. What we want more than anything is for you to see her as healthy, vibrant and capable of healing. We believe in the power of the collective mind and the power of our words, intentions and prayers,” the GoFundMe page states.
If you are unable to donate, you can help by sharing this opportunity with others.
Jill Lemon organized the fundraiser on behalf of Ottenbreit. As of Wednesday afternoon, it had raised $22,876 of its $50,000 goal.
Donations can also be made at the Whitewood, Moosomin or Wawota Credit Unions. Account is named Teresa Penney Cancer Fund, e-transfer to teresaottenbreit@outlook.com. Donations can also be mailed to: Marlene Penney, Box 76, Langbank, SK S0G 2X0.
