Jason Starchuk Fundraiser!

Carrie and Jason have been together for 22 years and have been blessed with two children Avery (10) and Carter (4). In her youth Carrie was in a bad car accident and as result has been a chronic pain patient since, this has kept her from having a full time job outside the home. In August of 2014 Carrie’s mother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly leaving a huge void in their life. In May of 2015 Carrie’s bowel perforated and she was rushed to the hospital. Thankfully the doctors were able to save her life but it was very touch and go in the beginning. It was a slow recovery and has only exacerbated her health issues. In 2016 Jason began having difficulties walking. It started slowly but his condition continued to worsen. His doctor was baffled and performed several tests and x rays but was unable to find anything. Eventually he needed a cane to walk and was unable to continue in his job as a peace officer. He was now in constant pain and it was only worsening. His doctor sent him for a bone scan and finally something showed up. His body was riddled with bone fractures, he had just over 20 fractures from his feet up to his shoulders. This prompted more tests but his doctor was stumped. The pain only intensified and Jason now needed a walked to get around. He was referred to an endocrinologist and after several more tests the endocrinologist came back with a diagnosis of oncogenic osteomalacia. This is a very rare condition in which a tumour causes bones to weaken. There is limited literature on the condition however in most cases if the tumour was found and removed the patients recovered quickly and within a year most were completely healed. A biopsy was performed and thankfully the tumour was benign. Jason was referred to an orthopedic surgeon who disagreed with the endocrinologist’s diagnosis however had none of his own. He advised he would not remove the tumour and that Jason should see an endocrinologist… Jason met with another endocrinologist and he concurred with the initial assessment. He is planning on running some more blood work but stated that the tumour needs to be removed. Unfortunately the only surgeon that will perform the surgery is based in Vancouver. Jason is the sole income source for the family and has been on long term disability since the beginning of the year. This means that family’s income is now only 66% of Jason’s regular salary. This alone means that the family has had to get creative with their budgeting and drastically change their lifestyle. If Jason needs to go to Vancouver for surgery there is no way that the family can afford it. Any money raised will go to helping the family with regular living expenses as well as financing a trip to Vancouver if and when it becomes needed.