Many Iqalummiut are showing support for single mother Naja Fenn, who has a child with special needs and now is fighting for her health.

Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in February after many prior fruitless consultations with doctors, Fenn has gone to Ottawa for at least six months to receive treatment.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really hard when you have to go long-term with a child,SA国际影视传媒� she says, sitting at her booth at the International WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Day craft fair, where she was raising funds for her stay down south. She was selling her hand-made jewelry and 50-50 draw tickets.

Although Extended Health Benefits will cover a modest portion of her expenses, an additional crack in the system leaves her lacking access to immediate funding through the Inuit Child First Initiative. She has submitted an application amid the programSA国际影视传媒檚 large backlog in hopes of receiving assistance.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll of my family is up here,SA国际影视传媒� says Fenn, who explains that she is allowed to bring an escort who will look after her daughter Willa while she receives treatment. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 hoping ISA国际影视传媒檒l be able to come back for little pieces of time, but ISA国际影视传媒檓 no longer sure.SA国际影视传媒�

Diagnosed at IqaluitSA国际影视传媒檚 Qikiqtani Hospital, Fenn speaks about frustrations many Nunavummiut face when trying to access basic healthcare.

SA国际影视传媒淚 kept going to the hospital for over a year. They kept telling me it was different things, nothing important. Then one of my doctors finally ordered a test, and they found out it was advanced cancer,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

SA国际影视传媒淚 can take a lot of pain,SA国际影视传媒� comments Fenn. SA国际影视传媒淚 know when somethingSA国际影视传媒檚 wrong with me. Part of me was relieved when when I found out. When I finally knew, part of me was really scared. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 so many feelings at once. I [was] waking up from anesthesia saying over and over again to the nurse, SA国际影视传媒業 have a child.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 was shocked. I was scared. I just want to make sure ISA国际影视传媒檓 there for [Willa]. SheSA国际影视传媒檚 got special needs so itSA国际影视传媒檚 just harder, especially thinking about future caregivers for her.SA国际影视传媒�

Fenn left for Ottawa on March 10, initially alone. Her cousin will be bringing her daughter down later, as they were able to get discounted airfare provided by Canadian North to land claim beneficiaries.

SA国际影视传媒淪o that helped a lot,SA国际影视传媒� says Fenn. SA国际影视传媒淭he first two months are set up and ready to go.SA国际影视传媒�

While she is receiving treatment, she says she plans to knit baby hats to donate to the hospital.

SA国际影视传媒淚 like to keep my hands busy. It helps me to get my mind off things.SA国际影视传媒�

While speaking with a concerned patron at her craft table who was buying 50-50 tickets, Fenn says that ultimately, SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 positive about it. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a common cancer, itSA国际影视传媒檚 supposed to be relatively treatable.SA国际影视传媒�

Through the 50-50 draw held before she left, Fenn raised a total of $5,230, of which she kept $2,615.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of people asked us to write SA国际影视传媒榙onateSA国际影视传媒� [on the ticket]SA国际影视传媒� she said in the raffle video, SA国际影视传媒渙r put WillaSA国际影视传媒檚 name in the blankSA国际影视传媒� and there were lots of people who said if they win, they want to give their ticket back to me.SA国际影视传媒�