SaskatchewanAmerican conservative political commentator Glenn Beck says he wants to help connect a Saskatchewan woman who has struggled for years to access specialized surgery for a rare disease with doctors who could help her.’When … you care about somebody, you’re going to do whatever it takes to get her help,’ says woman’s husbandJeffery Tram · CBC News · Posted: Dec 10, 2025 5:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 12 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 4 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Glenn Beck at an October 2024 rally for Donald Trump. The conservative U.S. commentator has said he would help arrange treatment in the United States for a Saskatchewan woman whose story has drawn widespread attention. (Ross D. Franklin/The Associate Press)An American conservative political commentator says he wants to help connect a Saskatchewan woman who has struggled for years to access specialized surgery for a rare disease with doctors in the U.S.Glenn Beck, founder of the conservative media company TheBlaze, posted on X Tuesday that he would help arrange treatment in the United States for Jolene Van Alstine, whose story has drawn widespread attention.In a series of posts, Beck said surgeons had contacted his organization offering assistance. He later said his team was in contact with Van Alstine and her husband.Beck also shared her story as an example for his critiques of Canada’s health-care system.Beck posted on X on Tuesday that he would help arrange treatment in the United States for Jolene Van Alstine. (Glenn Beck/X)”THIS is the reality of ‘compassionate’ progressive healthcare,” Beck wrote in a repost of an excerpt of Jolene’s story. “Canada must END this insanity and Americans can NEVER let it spread here.”Van Alstine’s partner, Miles Sundeen, confirmed he was contacted Tuesday by Beck’s staff on X.”He’s offered to pay for at least travel and accommodation expenses, trying to get help for her in the United States,” Sundeen said in an interview with CBC on Tuesday.Sundeen said he has heard from two surgeons in America, though no arrangements have been finalized.”For us to have it done in the States would be financially impossible otherwise,” he said.Hospitalized TuesdayVan Alstine has a rare form of parathyroid disease called normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT). It causes extreme bone pain, nausea and vomiting. Sundeen said Van Alstine was taken by ambulance to Regina General Hospital Tuesday morning.”She’s experiencing a lot of pain in her abdomen, as well as what looks like congestion and possibly pneumonia in her lungs,” he said.NDP MLA Jared Clarke, left, and Miles Sundeen speak with reporters at the Saskatchewan Legislature on Nov. 26. (Will Draper/CBC)She has undergone three surgeries but still requires specialized care to locate and remove an overactive parathyroid gland.Sundeen said years of delayed diagnosis and treatment have led to additional complications.”She’s been laying on the couch for close to eight years and unable to function in any way, shape or form,” he said.Sundeen said the couple met with Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill after appearing at the provincial legislature on Nov. 26, with support from the Opposition NDP.Sundeen said referrals have since been sent to three specialized clinics — at McMaster University in Hamilton, another in Toronto and one in Edmonton.”That was done probably a little over a week ago — now it’s a waiting game,” he said. “My experience with our health-care system, it will be months, perhaps even years before we get a reply.”He said Van Alstine’s condition continues to worsen.”She is not able to go on longer the way things are,” he said.Focus on treatmentSundeen says he is aware of the politicization around Van Alstine’s story, but his main focus is on getting treatment for his wife.”When you’re in a situation and you care about somebody, you’re going to do whatever it takes to get her help,” Sundeen said. “So if it has to enter the political spectrum, so be it,” he said. “I don’t think it’s any secret that we have problems with our health-care system.”Sundeen said his hope is that the couple can get a referral for further diagnostic testing that would allow for surgery, and possibly getting their life back to normal.”It’s a hard thing to support someone that’s so ill for so long,” Sundeen said. “Depression and anxiety make it hard to stay focused and stay positive that there will be help somewhere down the line.”ABOUT THE AUTHORJeffery is a reporter with CBC Saskatchewan in Regina. He previously worked at CBC Toronto as an associate producer. You can reach him at jeffery.tram@cbc.ca.
U.S. conservative commentator Glenn Beck offers help as Sask. woman’s struggle to get surgery gains attention
