The article does not say which country she is from. Time is of the essence in colon cancer, especially in non-aged patients.
She is living on some form of subsistence in Canada. How about treating her and sending her a bill? Maybe the son can help pay. This is pretty straightforward surgery, and isn’t like getting a liver transplant.
“She is living on some form of subsistence in Canada.”
She is on a Visitor visa. That requires that you have funding for your TEMPORARY visit.