Borowicz Bathroom Reno

Doug needs to have his bathroom renovated to make it accessible for his walker. There are two parts to the project:        1. making the bathroom larger to accommodate a handicapped accessible shower and fixtures   2. relocate his washer/dryer to the main level as he can’t do stairs to the basement. Most of the work is being done by family and friends to keep the cost to a minimum. Cancer treatments and Mayo Clinic trips are expensive and because Doug has been out of school due to his stem cell treatment and recovery, this unexpected need to renovate the bathroom has caused a new financial hardship.

When our friend and colleague, Doug Borowicz was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for the third time, doctors at Mayo Clinic decided it was time for a stem cell transplant. In September of 2019, Doug underwent more rounds of chemo and then a stem cell transplant. He spent more than a month in Rochester and has been unable to teach since the fall.

We are grateful that his stem cell numbers are good, the transplant seems to be a success! However, much to the consternation of his Mayo doctors, Doug has developed neuropathy (nerve damage) in his chest and core area. He has no feeling or strength from his mid-chest to his upper thigh area. As a result, he needs a walker to get around. The doctors are unsure if this is a side effect of the chemotherapy regimen or if there is a different cause.

Doug has been a friend, teacher, coach and colleague to many of us in Roseau for 27+ years and before Roseau to others in North Dakota. This is a small way we can help make his life a little easier as he recovers from his battle with cancer. We realize that many of you have donated already and Doug and his family are forever grateful for that. However, with these unexpected expenses, we are hoping this community rallies around this cause and Doug once again.  We are also asking you to also share this site/link with your contacts and friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Talk with those you know who have had Doug as a teacher or coach and encourage them to donate and share this information. The more this gets shared, the greater the response to help Doug.

Please consider any donation that you feel appropriate, every bit helps! All proceeds will go directly to pay for Doug’s bathroom renovation and washer/dryer relocation or other related recovery expenses. This is a definite need that we can all help meet. Doug would never ask for your help, so as his Social Studies colleagues, we are. Thank you in advance for your kindness and compassion in helping out our colleague and friend.