Family of Brendan Gallagher shares some very sad news.

The family of veteran Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher has shared some very sad news.

It was Brendan's sister Bree Gallagher who broke the news when she shared a link to the Brain Cancer Foundation website via her Instagram, a link that leads to a fundraiser dedicated to her mother Della. According to Bree, Della was diagnosed with a stage 4 glioblastoma two summers ago, a rare form of brain cancer that unfortunately has a high rate of recurrence. 

As Bree writes in the fundraiser for her mother, the prognosis for Canadians diagnosed with a glioblastoma is not good:

The prognosis for a Glioblastoma patient according to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada is 14.6 months.

In Canada the options for treatment are limited but Bree explains that her family was fortunate that her mother was able to receive treatment outside of the country:

Our family was extremely fortunate, and had the opportunity to take my mom to the KECK Medical Centre at the University of Southern California. I can't express how grateful we are for the unbelievable care she has received at this institution.

Unfortunately not all Canadian families who receive such a diagnosis are so fortunate, and it is with those families in mind that Bree has set up this fundraiser. Setting a modest goal of $2000, Bree explains why raising this money is important to her:

A patient in Canada simply does not have access to the care my mom is receiving. My eyes have been opened to the complexities of health care and that has brought me here, typing up her story. I feel inclined to share her strength, as I know how contagious courage can be. It might not be much but we are raising money for the Canadiens that will some day get the same news we did. We are raising money in hopes that they will have more options, and can feel a sense of hope. The money will be going towards Brain cancer Research, and to fuel a fire of progress.

Join us in the fight, and let's not take 14.6 months for an answer.

While the news delivered by the Gallagher family is heartbreaking, and Della's battle with cancer remains ongoing, it could not have been delivered in a more admirable way.

Bree is currently training for the BMO marathon in May, which she will be running with her brother Nolan, which she is running in honor of Brain Cancer Awareness Month.

If you would like to know more about the fundraiser and how you can support it, you can do so right here.