From the first day of Nevan's original diagnosis we have had help in the form of gas and grocery cards dropped at our house, food made and delivered, offers to do chores and run errands, discounts from some local retailers and sympathy cards with kind words and phone numbers. We get emails and texts from people constantly asking what they can do to help. We were also lucky enough to have 2 fundraisers during our first battle that helped us weather some of the financial burden of this situation; A Fun Day Fundraiser by Active Health Associates and the other, an evening Gala by our parents and Beer Store Friends. We also had other events as well as a donation barrel from my employer.
This helped us immensely in the first year when the treatment was hectic and intense. Being off work was a necessity as we had 2 kids to take care of and during so many hospital stays, appointments and procedures, it is impossible to be in two places at once. As our 2.5 year journey continued and life took on a bearable routine, we were able to return to work part time, but the final financial toll it took on our family was almost dire. The help we received from friends, family and the community allowed us to put food on the table, maintain our vehicle for the hundreds of trips back and forth to the hospital and keep our home. After treatment ended, we were given over a year to make an attempt at normalcy. We went back to work full time, kids went back to school and we were just beginning to really pick up the pieces of our lives when we got the devastating news that we would need to battle Leukemia all over again.
This task became slightly less intimidating when we realized that our family continues to be supported by the amazing people who joined our journey the first time and who are now joined by hundreds more to help us through for this second and hopefully, final battle.
Saturday's Fundraiser was an enormous success. Everyone who attended could feel the energy and love surrounding our family. We were so happy that Nevan was well enough to attend. He and his sister Nylah had the most fun they've had in months.
The list of family, friends, sponsors and supporters for this event is in the hundreds. The turnout for the event was the best reward for all the hard work put in by the organizing committee. We have no idea how we can properly thank everyone for their support. We can however do what is expected of us. We will, as we always have, stay focused and determined. We will stay positive and strong. We will exhaust all resources available to us to give Nevan the best chance of survival. The challenge is daunting but there are those who have come before us that have fought and won this battle. So despite the odds and the complications, we will strive for nothing less than cancer free and a full recovery. We will support not only Nevan but his sister Nylah who has made unbelievable sacrifices for her big brother. We will find time for our marriage in between all of the hospital stays and medical discussions and time spent raising our children. And because of the very generous support of so many we will maintain our finances as we once again proceed on a budget of reduced income and increased expenses. Because of you our family can stay together through this difficult time.
Thank-you for being a part of this incredible Journey.
Special Thanks for this event goes out to but is not limited to;
Saginaw Public School
Waterloo Regional District School Board
Fiddlesticks Community Centre
Blessed Mother Teresa Elementary School
Clemens Mill PS
Sears Cambridge Centre
Cambridge Centre Honda
501st Garrison
Rubbersource
Rotary Club
Cambridge Fire Department
Marisa Pinto Photography
John Van Tran Photgraphy
The Cambridge Times
Conestoga Connect
The Cambridge Fire Department
Amplified Midlife Crisis
