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R. Bruce Klippenstein – Husband, Father, Grandpa, Brother/Brother-in-Law, Uncle, Friend, and to many, known fondly as the Okanagan Town Crier, is now fighting for his life against Hodgkin Lymphoma.
My Dad is now down to just 155 lbs… but he is still smiling and maintaining his positive attitude, despite the significant challenges he is now facing on a daily basis.
He (almost) never gets sick. Up until the end of August, he was in the gym for several hours a week and playing Pickleball up to 3 times a week. He was also regularly getting dressed up for his volunteer role as the Okanagan Town Crier - a role he has enjoyed for 9 years as a way of uplifting his community of Peachland and surrounding areas. In addition, he wrote a business column for the local Peachland Post newspaper.
Now, with a diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma and additional complications, the honest truth is, my family needs your help - our family, friends, and community.
- They now find themselves in a state of negative cashflow due to a series of events and tilts beyond their control, and are uncertain how they will move forward.
- It has taken me almost 3 months to convince them to allow me to create this fundraiser as a way to get them some financial (and moral) support that they so desperately need.
My parents hate to ask for help; yet they are the first ones to offer assistance to anyone they become aware of who needs help. For as long as I can remember they have given more than they could afford, no matter their personal sacrifices.
My dad is very sick – you can read more about his journey to a cancer diagnosis, and his treatment journey so far further down this post.
- Frequent trips to the hospital (often by ambulance), specialist appointments, cancer care clinic for chemo, and the lab for blood work on an almost weekly basis have taken their toll on his energy levels and physical strength which is now almost non-existant.
Last week, the engine in their only vehicle stopping working, leaving them without personal transport.
- They now have to rely on my brother and his truck – not a simple exercise to get in and out of something so high up without running boards
My only brother Tyler has had to give up his work and moved in with my parents to become a full-time carer for my dad.
- He has taken on the role of personal chef – adapting my dad’s diet to an alkaline one that gives him the best chance of fighting cancer based on the research I’ve done – as well as his occupational therapist, home care assistant (bathing, getting him dressed, etc), and all around companion.
My Mom is exhausted.
- She is up 4-5 times every night, and has been for months, dealing with night sweats which are a common side effect of my dad’s Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer.
- She has the complex task of coordinating medical appointments, Doctor’s visits, lab work, and more, as well as sharing full-time carer duties with my brother, not to mention mountains of laundry.
Costs are racking up, and funds are rapidly running out.
On top of the usual mortgage costs, utility bills, groceries, food, insurance, etc, this is their financial reality:
- $5,000-$10,000: to buy a roadworthy vehicle to get them from A --> B (hospital, appointments, the pharmacy, etc)
Medical supplies borrowed from the Red Cross for 3 months must soon be returned, and purchased to enable my Dad to continue to live at home:
- $800 – Roho cushion to prevent pressure sores when seated (he's currently just skin and bones due to the side effects of his condition)
- $350 - $500 – transfer wheelchair for going to and from medical appointments
- $50 – claw can to enable my dad to move around the apartment independently
- $300+ - cost of a walker for increased mobility at home
- $4000 - for new hearing aids and glasses
Frequent trips to the hospital for emergencies as well as medical appointments:
- $80 - $120 – tank of gas per week for the truck (it eats gas)
- $6/day – parking for various extra appointments
- $30 - $50/day for basic sustenance for my Mom and my brother whilst at the hospital for unplanned visits Tyler brings my dad his favourite bone broth to drink daily to help keep his strength up - $10/week)
As an octogenarian (Dad's 82 believe it or not!) with a pre-existing heart condition he would benefit greatly from complementary cancer care to help his body cope with and recover from chemotherapy side effects.
Therapies such as mistletoe injections, hyperbaric oxygen, etc can help to boost his immune system, and help him respond better to the chemo treatments with fewer side effects:
- $350 – initial consultation
- $180 – IV / wellness drip (each)
- $130+ - other treatments (per visit)
Tyler has selflessly given up his job, and moved in with my parents to take care of my dad and support my Mom 24/7, but still has expenses to cover:
- $800 / month – truck lease
- $400 / month – insurance
- $300 / month - business loan repayment
Consequently, Mom and Dad's rainy day fund has been totally diminished.
Tyler has become our Dad's personal chef (making alkaline drinks and healthy meals for him), personal OT - adding equipment to make the home useable for Dad's care, and taking him for walks to strengthen his muscles, as well as a general carer - helping him to bathe, get dressed, and providing other valuable services.
- He is currently undertaking courses online to build a more stable future for himself, and create a career path that will assist him to look after both my parents, but it will likely be more than a year before he can actually take steps which enable him to earn an income from it.
- He is willing to work, and has several local clients for whom he shovels snow by hand at 5:00am when the weather requires it, but Peachland has had no snow this year.
- When spring comes, he will be open to local landscaping and yard work contracts which working on his own schedule allows, so he can be home at essential times.
For months now, my Mom and my brother have been full-time carers – up several times in the night, with broken sleep, and running on empty.
- They persevere because they know they are my dad’s only hope for his best quality of life at the moment. They are the strength he doesn’t have himself, but so desperately needs – they continuously advocate for him to get the medical attention he needs, and the treatment he requires.
Grateful For Everything and Everyone
My parents’ neighbours, wider community and some close friends and family have been truly incredible these last few months…
- Door drops of nutritious, homemade meals to take the pressure off
- A beautiful song written about my Dad that brought tears to his eyes - it is his go-to solace
- Gift cards for gas and groceries
My family have been wrapped in love and support from so many people already, and they are truly grateful.
Bruce's Story: Road to a Diagnosis
As Autumn approached, my Dad started to feel very unwell, and he was forced to take the decision to retire from his Town Crier role and other volunteer activities.
- Things took a dramatic turn over two nights in November 2025, when he fell three times, and was unable to get up – he had no strength in legs and simply collapsed.
- He was rushed to hospital by ambulance, and a search for the cause of his symptoms began.
- The staff in KGH were amazing in the care they delivered. There were many tests and many delays with the investigations required to confirm a diagnosis.
The Diagnosis: Hodgkin Lymphoma Confirmed
A diagnosis was finally made on December 05 – Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma, which is a cancer of the white blood cells and lymphatic system.
We were actually relieved.
- If you had to choose one cancer, this would be among the first choices. Why? The recovery rate approaches 90%, with a 5 year survival rate of >80%.
- And he intends to be cured! It is uncommon, around 0.67% of all cancers (about 1,000 people in Canada per year).
Next stop, the Cancer Clinic, and Dr. Baxter, to receive a Treatment Plan, on December 18. Dad, Mom and Tyler all really liked Dr Baxter and his approach to treatment – aggressive. That may include a drug just recently being targeted to treat Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Chemotherapy started in early January 2026. When my husband, daughter and I left Canada on 31st December, Dad was ready, positive and hopeful about his treatment plan!
He managed two treatment cycles before his health turn a sharp downwards turn, and as of 14th February 2026, is currently doing everything he can to be fit enough for the 3rd round.
So why the GoFundMe approach?
So many people have asked how they can help, and many have asked if there is a GoFundMe page set up where they can donate something.
With me being so far away in England, it's hard for me to offer physical support day-to-day, but I can do this - and create a way for those who want to do something, to be able to do so.
I know any amount of financial support I can raise for them will alleviate the stress my parents and my brother are under.
A Plea For Help:
Every donation - no matter how big or how small - would make an incredible difference to my family's lives, and be a significant factor in giving my Dad the best possible chance of beating cancer and returning to the community volunteering he loves so much.
My family are not looking for handouts... but rather hand-ups. They have given so much to their local community and senior family members over the years, and I am hoping there are many who want to pay it forward as my mom and dad have done.
If you can't donate, but you can share this post instead, that's also a big help!
In addition to donations to the fund there are other ways you could help if you live locally:
- Contracts for snow removal or other landscaping work for Tyler
- Donation of a snow blower to increase Tyler's efficiency when it snows
- Donation of a lightweight wheel chair, 4-claw cane and walker for when our Red Cross items have to be returned
- Donation of a decent, working washing machine
Equally, connecting with my family, and sending prayers, words of encouragement, etc also goes a long way to raising everyone's spirits when the days get tough.
Dad's initial round of chemo will take at least 24 weeks, but he may require follow-on treatment, or additional rounds of chemo. We anticipate this journey could take 1-2 years for him to recover and get his strength back.
Your Impact
Your donation would lighten the load that my family is currently carrying... your words of encouragement will brighten my Dad's days and remind my family what an incredible community they have surrounding them both near and far.
Throughout this whole ordeal, my Dad has maintained his smile and cheerful attitude. He is determined to take everything he is facing in his stride, and I know he is itching to get back to the gym, to play Pickleball once again, and desperately wants to have the energy to return to his volunteer activities.
Thank you for all the support - financially, mentally, and physically he has received already. We are eternally grateful to everyone for your love, compassion and kindness shown.
Organizer
