Help the Owen's during dad's cancer treatment.
Donation protected
The Owen family, Chris, Jodi and Gareth, were thrown a curve ball in early January 2018, when Chris was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In order to shrink the tumour, to allow operating, Chris underwent chemo and radiation, and all the side effects that go along with such evasive procedures. Surprisingly though, Chris was able to work through it, and held his job as a Project Manager for a commercial flooring company right up to his surgery date, July 26th, 2018.
The location of the tumor, presented a difficult surgical challenge, and traditional surgery methods were not considered to be a good option. Chris was considered a suitable candidate for a new procedure out of Europe that had been picked up by the colorectal team at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver. This option wasn’t perfect as it provided significantly reduced function, but it allowed Chris a greater chance for recovery, and would eliminate the need for a permanent colostomy.
The surgery was considered a success, and testing revealed all the cancerous tissue had been removed. Over the next ten months, Chris was unable to work, had a temporary ileostomy bag attached, and underwent four months of follow-up oral chemo in hopes of preventing any further cancer.
Feeling recovered in early summer 2019, and very impatient to get back to "normal, working life", Chris returned to his job. Unfortunately, Chris quickly realized he had not gained the physical and mental strength necessary to work in a demanding industry, and knew for his health to continue to improve, he needed to find a more suitable career, so quickly began the search for alternate employment.
By early October, during a routine blood test, doctors noted elevated CEA. Further tests revealed that Chris’s cancer had metastasized. A tumor in his lower abdominal muscle, was located as well as two possible spots on his left lung.
Chris was told he has a genetic form of cancer that can be knocked down with chemo but will continue to return again and again. Chris and his wife Jodi, have been told life expectancy is 1-2 years worst case scenario and 3-5 years is the average.
Chris will be having intravenous chemo at the Surrey BC Cancer Clinic, in intervals over the next 6 months.
Jodi, wife and mother, is an unwavering, and amazing support to her husband and son always, but especially through this difficult time. Finances are more than tight, a stress nobody should have to endure at a time such as this. Myself, and other life long friends, are seeking to raise $20,000. to help pay bill's, and reduce some of the financial burden for this family.
This is a time for the Owen family to be together, to laugh, to love, and to share memories of happier and healthier days with the dream of a full recovery for Chris in 2020.
Please find it in your heart to give a donation to this family, and hug your own, as curve balls can hit when we least expect it. The support of others is what carries any of us through in times of trouble.
The location of the tumor, presented a difficult surgical challenge, and traditional surgery methods were not considered to be a good option. Chris was considered a suitable candidate for a new procedure out of Europe that had been picked up by the colorectal team at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver. This option wasn’t perfect as it provided significantly reduced function, but it allowed Chris a greater chance for recovery, and would eliminate the need for a permanent colostomy.
The surgery was considered a success, and testing revealed all the cancerous tissue had been removed. Over the next ten months, Chris was unable to work, had a temporary ileostomy bag attached, and underwent four months of follow-up oral chemo in hopes of preventing any further cancer.
Feeling recovered in early summer 2019, and very impatient to get back to "normal, working life", Chris returned to his job. Unfortunately, Chris quickly realized he had not gained the physical and mental strength necessary to work in a demanding industry, and knew for his health to continue to improve, he needed to find a more suitable career, so quickly began the search for alternate employment.
By early October, during a routine blood test, doctors noted elevated CEA. Further tests revealed that Chris’s cancer had metastasized. A tumor in his lower abdominal muscle, was located as well as two possible spots on his left lung.
Chris was told he has a genetic form of cancer that can be knocked down with chemo but will continue to return again and again. Chris and his wife Jodi, have been told life expectancy is 1-2 years worst case scenario and 3-5 years is the average.
Chris will be having intravenous chemo at the Surrey BC Cancer Clinic, in intervals over the next 6 months.
Jodi, wife and mother, is an unwavering, and amazing support to her husband and son always, but especially through this difficult time. Finances are more than tight, a stress nobody should have to endure at a time such as this. Myself, and other life long friends, are seeking to raise $20,000. to help pay bill's, and reduce some of the financial burden for this family.
This is a time for the Owen family to be together, to laugh, to love, and to share memories of happier and healthier days with the dream of a full recovery for Chris in 2020.
Please find it in your heart to give a donation to this family, and hug your own, as curve balls can hit when we least expect it. The support of others is what carries any of us through in times of trouble.
Organizer and beneficiary
Rene Olson
Organizer
Logan Lake, BC
Jodi Owen
Beneficiary