At first her doctors thought it was acid reflux, but after more testing last year, Toronto resident Janet Polverini was told that she has stomach cancer.

Polverini had surgery Aug. 17, and she hasn't left the hospital since. However, that's not stopping her from doing what she loves: donating her time to local charities.

"Is this a battle? Yes. Do I sit all day and feel sorry for myself? I do not," she said.

Polverini said for years, she has donated time to local charities and hospitals.

 "Every day  my husband will say, after morning Mass, 'Janet, what are you going to do today?' And I'll tell him, 'I'm going to this nursing home, I'm going to the hospital, I'm going to help somebody else.' And that comes back," she said.

Polverini said she has proof that her charity work has paid off -- 800 get-well cards' worth. She said after helping so many people through the years, they're now helping her by sending well wishes. Now, she said she is asking everyone to lend a hand to help those in need.

"I'm asking everybody to send a check to the charity of their choice. Even if you send $1, you made a difference," she said.

One event Polverini has been working on is for the Hounds' Haven animal shelter, which will be held on Oct. 21. If you'd like to attend, you can find more information on our Community Calendar page.