Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation

In the early hours of May 5th, 2003, my beautiful Golden girl was sent to Rainbow Bridge. Kali was a dynamic and intelligent 7 ½ year old Golden Retriever who touched the spirit of all who knew her. Kali was taken by the most deadly and invasive disease affecting our beloved pets today - cancer. In Kali's case, she was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma - a blood-borne cancer that resulted in a mass tumor on her spleen. On April 2, 2003, this mass tumor ruptured. The devastating part of this disease - called the "silent killer" – is that it didn't surface until it was far too late to do anything. By the time Kali showed any signs of something being wrong, it had already invaded her beautiful body. X-rays showed it had spread to her lungs.

If you have ever lost a pet, you know how intense the pain is. Kali was my heart and I am a different person without her. A part of me left this world with her. I struggle everyday to understand why Kali was taken from us so quickly and so soon. It is excruciatingly painful to lose a beloved member of the family in the prime of her life. Knowing Kali's gentle but purposeful nature, she would want her life to have meant something. In the hours after she was gone the "Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation" came to me. I don't know where it came from - I certainly didn't think about it or formulate the idea in my mind over time - it was just there.

Just like people, pets can develop cancer from environmental toxins, sun exposure, immune system deficiencies due to poor diets, or genetic abnormalities. The statistics are alarming and the first step in fighting this deadly trend is awareness. It is important for pet owners to know these statistics and subsequently what steps they can take to minimize the cancer risk in their companions. Secondarily, understanding the warning signs of cancer is imperative to early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Lastly, when the diagnosis is determined to be cancer, loving pet owners need to know that there are options for treatment - medically and alternatively. While the true causes of cancer in pets is debated, there is convincing evidence that a number of real issues need to be researched in the prevention of this disease. As with humans, environmental toxins - pesticide use, toxic household cleaners, second-hand smoke - may cause healthy cells to turn cancerous. Additionally, and likely more importantly, genetic abnormalities must be examined as a true cause of many cancer cases, particularly as it relates to certain pre-disposed breeds. Lastly, commercial diets that provide little nutritional value will suppress our pet's immune system and over time make them more susceptible to this disease. Prevention through nutrition, supplementation and immunology is imperative in fighting the risk.

The Foundation was named “Kali’s Wish” because I believe that her wish from where she is now is for the day when far fewer families are forced to deal with the devastating loss of a beloved canine or feline family member to this deadly disease. While Kali’s life on Earth is tragically over, the work she has inspired for those of us left behind has only just begun. The Foundation has become her legacy.

The Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation will become an important link between pet owners and both the conventional and complementary medical communities in Canada. Kali's Wish is committed to funding awareness campaigns, alternative therapy programs and medical research programs to educate about, prevent and reduce cancer rates in our beloved pets.

Thank you for your support.

Laura Leah English
Founder
Kali's Wish Cancer Foundation