Update - I'm almost there! Last minute supporters are much appreciated!
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My Dad is the man.
If I can be half the Father he has been and inspire my children the way he has inspired me, I will consider my life a complete and raging success.
The path he chose to walk in life has been the path of love. Love for his family, friends, pets and neighbours. Anyone who has ever come in contact with him was received with the utmost respect and admiration.
In my 25 years, I've never heard him speak ill of anyone. You have to meet him in order to understand his caring presence. I wish everyone would attempt to emulate his approach to life.
Unfortunately, for the past 2 years, my family has been struggling with his fight against a rare form of cancer.
The only diagnosis of the disesase has been called a metastatic-solitary-fibrous-tumour of the plura. In Summer 2010, he underwent a pulmonary resection to remove an 8 LB tumour from the lining of his right lung.
His recovery was slow but we were optimistic that the disease was removed. He was left with a significant amount of nerve pain due to the invasive nature of the incision.
At the 3 month checkup, our oncologist informed us that spots were reforming on the lining (plura). Whether they were missed during the first procedure or considered new-growths, we did not know. At this point, we decided to work with Toronto-General's famous Thorasic unit.
A new oncologist and new surgeon decided that another pulmonary resection was required. This time, they would remove the affected area(s) as well as the new-growth(s). His surgery date was exactly one year after the first, Summer 2011.
After 3 short months of struggled recovery - we were informed by his CT scans that the growths were returning. This time in areas where they did not previously exist, including the inside of his left lung.
Over the past six months, his condition has worsened considerably. Due to scar-tissue and health, another surgery is not an option. This type of cancer does not respond well to the violent chemicals that are chemo-therapy. We're now in the hands of paliative care.
As I write this, we've completed the first week of radiation therapy at the Balsillie family Cancer Centre at Grand River Hospital.
In a fit of restlessnes, I've been looking for something that I can do to help. I want to help my Dad, I also want to help the millions of families that struggle with the same illness.
I've decided to commit to the 120KM Grand River Hospital Ride for Cancer. I've never had a road bike, I've been training for the past 3 weeks in order to prepare, as well as test my commitment to raising the $5000 minimum entry.You're likely reading this post because you're within my network. If interested in supporting my Father, Family, our friends and everyone else being treated for Cancer, please consider supporting my ride.
If you'd like to make a contribution - please click THIS LINK. Contributions can be anonymous, all donation sizes are gratiously accepted.
With the help of Blake Smith, I'm going to be creating a small-documentary to help raise awareness for future riders. As a token of my appreciation for sponsoring my initiative, I'll be providing donators access to early versions of the film, as well as some extra footage.
Thanks a million. I hope to see you on the open road :)
P.S. If you aren't able to contribute any money, I totally understand. A tweet would go a long way! I've pre-populated one here.