Todd Zacharias and Jenny were married in early August 2000 with the promise of a full life together.  They had a young son named Bailey and another on the way.  In Sept 2000 Hunter was born and everything seemed perfect. 

In December 2000 Todd was diagnosed with Gardner's Syndrome.  "Gardner syndrome, a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by GI polyps, multiple osteomas, and skin and soft tissue tumors. Cutaneous findings of Gardner syndrome include epidermoid cysts, desmoid tumors, and other benign tumours."  He had his first surgery March 3 2001 where the surgeons gave him a pelvic pouch and a temporary Ileostomy, until he healed. He had his second surgery to save his life March 13 2001 when the pelvic pouch procedure failed and he went septic, at this time they made his temporary Ileostomy permanent.

He has had repeated scopes every 6 months to once a year for the last 16 years.  He has also been living with a chronic infection throughout this whole time.  Numerous hospital stays for bowel blockages as well.

In January 2017 the news the family has been dreading for years has finally come.  Todd was diagnosed with Colon/Rectal Cancer.  He had scans done on Jan 23 and 24th.  On Mar 2 2017 his picc line was inserted.  Radiation and Chemotherapy treatments started Mar 6 2017.  He is receiving radiation Monday through Friday and gets hooked up to his Chemotherapy bottle every Monday, which he wears until they put a new bottle on on the following Monday.  
They are also looking at possibly having surgery done in Toronto.  The surgeon is still trying to get all his medical history together so they are unsure of when this may happen.

Todd and Jenny are having to stay in Thunder Bay at the Tamarack House Monday through Friday leaving their 16 and 13 year old boys at home with family help.  Todd has had to take a leave from work and Jenny has been fortunate enough to have the support from her co-workers to be able to switch her shifts around, but leaving her to work double shifts on the weekends.  

Todd has just finished his 2nd week of treatments with approximately 4 more weeks to go.  Chemotherapy being finished the first week of April and Radiation being finished on April 12 2017.

Thunder Bay is 203km from home.  Price of gas is $117.9/L.  This is a costly journey for them as well as physical, mental and emotional.  I am asking for help to help offset costs, give them a good meal here and there and help their household costs.  Sick pay isn't there right away for you and that's the last thing you need, to be stressed about money when you need to concentrate on getting healthy.

Thank you in advance to everyone for taking the time to read, share and even donate.