There are repercussions for all family members, friends and acquaintances. When someone you know has cancer, that is all you think about. You want to send them positive waves and help them.
In our case, everyone wanted to help: our family, parents, brothers, sisters, neighbours and friends. We must remember though that it is the patient who has to fight the battle. Feeling supported is no doubt of great help. When people volunteer to look after children in the long term, that is very helpful, because the sick person is not always able to look after them. We had three children under the age of two and in diapers when this happened. My mother-in-law and my mother looked after them a lot, which helped us during recovery.
Let me go back to the first question you asked Mr. Sansfaçon. People who cannot get insurance are often those with low wages, earning just $500 per week, for instance. Those people are entitled to just $250 in EI benefits, not even the maximum of nearly $600 per week. I can tell you that those people who cannot likely afford additional insurance do not earn a lot or do not work full time.
In some cases, it all accumulates. There is a big difference between 15 weeks and one year of EI sick benefits. Imagine that you earn just $400 per week and do not get a single cent after 15 weeks. How will you cover your rent and groceries? You are sick and cannot work. Think of single mothers who do not have a lot of support from friends or parents. These things happen in our society, and these individuals are in great need.