Coming Together for David

As many of you know our dear friend David has been bravely battling Stage 4 colorectal cancer for the last 2 years. We are saddened to share that although David and Larissa have been pursuing every available option including three different lines of chemotherapy and months of travel to the mainland for integrative treatments, his cancer continues to progress and the treatment options remain limited.

Because of your very generous crowdfunding back in 2022, David received a special liquid biopsy test which revealed a specific mutation of his cancer (known as BRCA2). His oncologist at BC Cancer has proposed a last-ditch treatment effort, which is a drug called Lynparza that is used for BRCA2-positive patients. Due to David's particular mutation being unique there is little research to demonstrate the drugs effectiveness on colon cancer, however patient testimonials and worldwide studies do suggest positive outcomes. Ideally this treatment will shrink or at least stabilize David’s cancer, allowing him to get back to the things that matter most.

In Canada, this drug is funded for and commonly used on patients with ovarian, prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers, but because Health Canada and BC Provincial Health do not recognize it as a colon cancer treatment, they will not cover the cost for David, and applications for patient assistance programs have also been denied. As the drug is still under patent, it’s not yet available in generic form and the cost to purchase it out-of-pocket is $9,600 every 30 days. Sadly, this medication would need to be continued on a long-term basis and this is not sustainable financially for David and Larissa.

As David has been without any form of treatment for well over a month, he and his family have made the decision to go ahead and start him on it despite the egregious cost. They are also exploring ways to potentially obtain a similar drug from overseas in the future at a fraction of the price, however, are currently facing a number of bureaucratic obstacles.

We are asking that once again David’s community of loved ones come together to support him and Larissa, Jake, Terry and Bob as they take on this new challenge, allowing them to focus on each other during this difficult time.

We want them to know that they are not alone, and we are all in this together. You are SO loved.