Hi, my name is Polly Houseman and I am the aunt of a very special nephew who is battling cancer.  Ivan Mailhiot was diagnosed with Myeloma - a cancer that attacks the bones.  The cancer attacked Ivan's vertabrae and he has had to have emergency surgery to install a metal rod in his back as the cancer was causing the vertabrae to collapse.  The cancer has since migrated to his hips and therefore has caused paralysis in his legs.  Ivan is taking chemo treatment at the Estevan Regional Hospital in Saskatchewan.  Ivan was born with developmental disabilities and therefore has always been cared for by his mother.  Unfortunately at this time, his aging mother cannot continue to look after Ivan due to the paralysis and therefore he has been placed in a nursing home.  Prior to the cancer diagnosis, Ivan held a job working at SarCan in Estevan.  Since the diagnosis, he is unable to work.
I am raising money to help with Ivan's upkeep.  He is isolated from some of his family who are not within visiting distance and therefore one of the items I would like him to have is an I-Device - preferably an I-Pad, so that he is able to receive FaceTime communication from the relatives that live in other parts of Canada.
The second item I am raising money for is a mobility chair that would aid in family outings for Ivan.
This is a mobile lift chair that works as a lift that would aid a family member to lift and transer him from his wheelchair/bed to a vehicle for outings, etc.  It was developed by someone in the UK and is available for sale in the USA.  I believe the cost to be approximately $3500 US.
The funds could be used as soon as possible.
This fund would mean the whole world to me and to our family as we are trying to minimize the trauma Ivan has had to endure by no longer being able to live at home and by no longer having the ability to go places that he had done in the past prior to his diagnosis.
I will forever be thankful and grateful for all who donate to this meaningful cause.  As always, we will pay it forward when the equipment is no longer required.
Thanking you all in advance,
Polly Houseman and family for Ivan Mailhiot