Fundraiser launched for acclaimed B.C. author diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer
A B.C. author who has sold hundreds of thousands of cookbooks worldwide has gone public with her diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer, and the community has come together to help her during her end of life.
Sarah Kramer of Victoria, B.C., was diagnosed on March 17 with glioblastoma, which, according to the National Brain Tumour Society, accounts for 50 per cent of all primary malignant brain tumors.
The 56-year-old shared the announcement on her social media platforms as well as on a GoFundMe launched by her partner, Geri Kramer. It is also Sarah’s second battle with cancer after a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2013.
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“Sarah is the great love of my life,” said Geri in the fundraiser. “And saying that feels as though it isn’t enough. She’s the single best thing that has ever happened to me, and I can’t imagine what my life would look like without her.
“Sarah was diagnosed on Monday with an incredibly aggressive form of brain cancer. She has a large mass in her brain called glioblastoma. It is incurable. It is very unlikely that she will live past April.”
The Victoria resident is known as “The World’s Coolest Vegan” and is an internationally-renowned cookbook author of How It All Vegan, Garden of Vegan, La Dolce Vegan, and Vegan A Go-Go!. Kramer has won numerous awards for her cookbooks and was featured on CBC, NPR, Breakfast Television, and Canada AM.
Sarah Kramer
Geri added that she is freshly out of recovery from her own surgery and was only recently able to return to work, so finances are especially challenging for the Meet The Kramers podcast hosts.
“Sarah has had an enormous impact on so many people with her cookbooks, her breast cancer outreach, and her general demeanour,” added Geri. “She’s just such a bright light of joy in this world. It’s my hope that all the people whose lives she has positively affected will find it in their hearts to make a small donation towards the costs of our lives as we navigate this time together.”
As of the time of reporting, over $89,000 has been raised out of a $140,000 goal on GoFundMe.
Daniel Chai/Daily Hive
Supporters of The Kramers flooded the social media announcement with messages of thanks and sadness.
“How It All Vegan was one of the first vegan cookbooks I ever bought when I went vegan 27 years ago,” said one commenter. “The sass and sweets, those pages are well loved. Sarah has been a tremendous influence and her spirit will live on in all of us.”
“You made the world a better place, Sarah,” said a supporter. “I hope you can feel the love of all the people whose lives you have touched along the way. We won’t forget you.”
“My heart aches for you, Sarah and Geri,” added another. “Thank you for everything you’ve done and all the care you’ve put into the world, Sarah.
“I hope your time left is as beautiful and loving as possible. “We are all thinking of you and wish we could donate our health to you along with our dollars. We appreciate and love you, forever and ever.”
Sarah and Geri Kramer
Geri, who is the owner and artist of Tattoo Zoo in Downtown Victoria, thanked everyone for their generosity and kindness in an update.
“I cannot believe the support I’m seeing from everyone. This is absolutely amazing and is making us both feel so incredibly loved.
“I know it’s asking a lot of everyone, especially in this world we’re all living in — but I can’t help but be hopeful that we can come together and help this one beautiful person that we all love so she can have a comfortable and cared for last days on earth.”