Local news story: 20-year-old Brook Aleksic, a Maple Ridge curler (and daughter of champ Shannon Joanisse), was suddenly paralyzed from the chest down by a rare spinal stroke. Describes her rapid onset transverse myelitis diagnosis, the GoFundMe that raised $40K+ in a day, quotes from organizer Diane Dezura (“her path will be long, uncertain and expensive”) and Brook’s positive spirit (“smiling, cracking jokes”). Mentions her feature in the Curl Power documentary and appeals for plasma donors via “Brook’s Plasma Pals.”

Regional TV news piece: Brooklyn Aleksic, a 20-year-old UVic student and curler from Abbotsford, became paralyzed from the neck down in early June due to transverse myelitis. Includes Shannon Joanisse’s quote (“within two hours of waking… completely paralyzed”) and highlights Brook’s positivity and goal to become a teacher. Diane Dezura (former coach) explains the need for plasma donors (Brook underwent 14 plasma exchanges requiring 175 donors). Notes a GoFundMe raised tens of thousands, to fund her transport to BC, rehab, equipment, etc., with hopes she will walk – and curl – again.

National human-interest feature: Brooklyn Aleksic – a “young star athlete” (UVic honor student and curler) – suddenly became paralyzed from the neck down after being diagnosed with a rare spinal condition (transverse myelitis leading to a spinal stroke). Details from GoFundMe are included (“damage to her spinal cord is extensive… path will be long, uncertain and expensive”). Notes her curling team was recently in the 2024 doc Curl Power. Quotes her mother (Shannon: “She’s a ray of light… positive… fighter”) and Diane Dezura (fundraiser organizer) praising Brook’s unshaken spirit. Emphasizes friends & family rallying together to raise funds and that Brook continues to smile despite profound challenges.

Viral news piece: Highlights the “important message” from Brook’s family after she woke up one morning and, within 2 hours, was completely paralyzed from her neck down. Recaps Brook Aleksic’s thriving life (UVic high achiever, curling doc star) before the sudden transverse myelitis attack. Emphasizes the call for plasma donation – notes she’s had 14 plasma exchanges requiring ~175 donors – and includes Brook’s own note urging eligible people to donate blood/plasma in her honor (“Look for ‘Brook’s Plasma Pals’ at blood.ca”). Also covers the GoFundMe aims (covering wheelchairs, transport, home care) and quotes how Brook “continues to amaze us… always thanking every person… her spirit is unshaken”. Concludes with how readers can donate (link provided).

National news: Comprehensive story on Brook Aleksic’s paralysis. Details how the 20-year-old B.C. curler suddenly “lost all movement and sensation from the chest down” while working a summer job in Saskatchewan (June 2025) due to transverse myelitis. Notes Diane Dezura (Olympian) organized a GoFundMe, which was ~$6K shy of $100K goal by July 7. Mentions Brook’s feature in Curl Power (Josephine Anderson filmed the team for years) and includes quotes from director Anderson about Brook’s gratitude, openness about body-image struggles, and how audiences found her especially inspirational. Provides medical context: transverse myelitis incidence (1–8 per million) and treatment (steroids, plasma exchange), noting ~1/3 of patients fully recover. Shares Shannon Joanisse’s quotes via CTV (“within two hours… completely paralyzed… a ray of light… huge circle of friends”), and updates that by July 5 Brook was transported from Regina to a Vancouver hospital for rehab. Emphasizes community support (“Complete strangers have reached out… can’t thank them enough” – Shannon).

Yahoo Canada’s version of Brook’s story, highlighting recovery progress. Recaps that when Brook Aleksic, 20, first became paralyzed from the rare stroke, “she couldn’t move her arms at all, and now she can. She feeds herself to some degree,” per Diane Dezura – indicating slight improvement. Reiterates her June spinal stroke (transverse myelitis) that left her paralyzed from chest down, and that her family and supporters are fundraising for her rehab with hopes she will walk and curl again. (Content mirrors National Post, focusing on the hopeful angle of regained arm movement and ongoing support).

Vancouver’s The Province ran Courtney Greenberg’s story on Brook Aleksic, identical to the National Post piece. It covers Brook’s transverse myelitis-induced paralysis, the GoFundMe nearing its $100K goal, quotes from her mother (Brook as a “ray of light” with a huge support circle) and from Curl Power director Josephine Anderson about Brook’s positivity. Also mentions Brook’s curling pedigree and her move to a Vancouver hospital for rehab. The headline quote “Still finding a way to look on the bright side” was highlighted in social shares, underscoring Brook’s optimism for local readers.

The Calgary Herald published the same Courtney Greenberg article on Brook Aleksic, making the story accessible to Alberta readers. It recounts Brook’s sudden paralysis and medical details, the fundraising efforts by Diane Dezura, and Brook’s background (UVic student, Curl Power documentary). Emphasis is on the national significance and the inspiring aspect of Brook’s attitude and community support, even for those outside BC.

International sports news: Introduces Brooklyn Aleksic as a promising Canadian curler whose athletic future was shattered by a sudden paralysis. Summarizes that in early June she “awoke unable to move… within hours, completely paralyzed from her neck down” due to transverse myelitis. Notes her family launched a GoFundMe to fund “extensive rehabilitation, equipment, and 24/7 care”. Explains she’s a top UVic student and was featured in the 2024 curling doc Curl Power. Cites Shannon Joanisse’s account (via CTV) of the rapid onset and includes the “long, uncertain and expensive” prognosis from the fundraiser. Highlights Brook’s positive character (“a ray of light”) and the community support, framing it as an inspirational yet cautionary tale of how quickly life can change and the importance of support.

Community call-to-action: The Mission Curling Club urges support for Brook Aleksic after an “extremely rare Spinal Stroke” changed her life “completely and without warning.” Explains she’s the daughter of Golden Ears Winter Club managers Shannon and Dean Joanisse, and initially was thought to have transverse myelitis before the spinal stroke diagnosis. Emphasizes how rare a spinal stroke is (only ~1% of all strokes, even rarer at her age). Provides a prominent link to “Support Brook’s GoFundMe” and encourages those who can’t donate to share the page. Essentially the club amplifying the fundraiser and aligning the curling community behind Brook’s recovery.

Wire article announcing the theatrical release of Curl Power, a documentary following five teen curlers from Maple Ridge (team “4KGirl$” – Savannah Miley, Brook Aleksic, Ashley Dezura, Amy Wheatcroft, Hannah Smeed). Explains the film weaves curling “rocks and rings into a coming-of-age story” addressing teen issues (ambition, anxiety, body image, relationships) alongside their goal of winning a Canadian junior championship. Notes it debuted at Hot Docs 2024 and is being released in 73 Cineplex theatres across Canada on Jan 24 2025. Quotes Hannah Smeed (“Teenagers are weird… similar to curling, nobody gives it a second look, but curling is cool.”) and Ashley Dezura on seeing the film and realizing the value of their story. Highlights that the girls’ moms (Diane Dezura, Georgina Wheatcroft, Shannon Joanisse) are former champions who coach them, adding a legacy layer. Portrays Curl Power as more than a sports movie – a poignant coming-of-age tale that could change perceptions of curling and teenage girls.

Vancouver Sun feature on Curl Power: Emphasizes that the film is “much more than a sports movie” – it’s a poignant examination of an age where everything changes. Describes how the five girls (Brook Aleksic and teammates) bare their souls on camera, dealing with insecurities (body image, mental health, family illnesses) while chasing a curling championship. Likely includes insights from director Josephine Anderson on her approach (“genuinely listen… helped build trust” – as per CP quotes) and from the girls (e.g., Ashley Dezura reflecting on seeing their teenage years captured on film). Notes that curling is the bond that brings these personal stories together, and that the mothers (Shannon Joanisse, Diane Dezura, Georgina Wheatcroft) who coach them add depth given their own curling accolades. Frames Curl Power as an inspiring local story that will resonate with anyone who remembers the trials of growing up.

Yahoo Entertainment piece on Curl Power focusing on the heartwarming friendship among the five BC girls. Describes the film as “an intimate look at a teenage girls’ curling team” (the 4KGIRL$) who dream of becoming national champions. Highlights how director Josephine Anderson followed Brook Aleksic & friends for years, capturing their bond and personal growth. Emphasizes the power of friendship: how the girls support each other through typical teen challenges and the pressures of competition. Likely mentions that the film has received positive reviews (“excellent and surprisingly poignant…transcends just being another sports movie” as noted in press) and that it might change viewers’ perspective on curling and girlhood. Overall tone: uplifting and celebratory of the girls’ camaraderie and the unique story brought to film.