Hi Family and Friends,

In December we received the devasting news that our dear friend Daryle Roberts has been diagnosed with inoperable stage four liver cancer. In true Daryle fashion he chose to hold off sharing the news, to ensure that it didn’t negatively impact anyone’s holiday festivities.

For those of you who know Daryle, you will know that he has spent much of his personal and professional life helping and advocating for others. His work in the non-profit sector is legendary, whether leading the Okanagan’s primary AIDS service organization; establishing Kelowna’s first 2SLGBTQ+ safe space through the Okanagan Rainbow Coalition; heading up the Central Okanagan Four Pillars Coalition; or through his work with organizations supporting adults with diversabilities. His work not only positively impacted the lives of countless individuals but also brought crucial awareness to the importance of acceptance, diversity and inclusion.

As is often the case in the non-profit sector, this work did not come with huge paycheques, and generally without any retirement pensions attached. As a result, he does not have a generous pension and still supplements his income with part time work. Regrettably this is now not an option as all his time, energy and strength must be focussed on his treatment and beating this beast that is threatening.

In addition to the loss of income, Daryle will be incurring additional expenses for things like prescription medications, complimentary and alternative therapies to help mitigate the impacts of treatment, and daily living expenses.

If your life has been touched by Daryle and his work, you know what a generous and extraordinary person he is. Despite having already beaten the odds by surviving HIV for 40 years, and beaten lung cancer a few years ago, he is understandably scared and at times feels quite helpless and defeated. If you know Daryle, you also know that asking for help does not come easy….it took a lot of encouragement for him to allow us to share this news so that others may offer help and support.

This GoFundMe is here so Daryle can focus on healing, because financial stress should never be part of someone’s cancer journey.

This is our chance, as family, friends and community, to show him how much he has given to us through his dedication and selfless service to others.

If you’re able to contribute, your support will go toward living expenses, medical costs, and anything else he needs during treatment and recovery. If donating isn’t possible right now, sharing this page or sending love and healing thoughts his way is just as meaningful.

Thank you for standing with Daryle, for donating if you can, for sharing this story, and for sending your love, prayers, and positive healing energy his way.