Help Dion Through Cancer Treatment

Hey Everyone,

As some of you may have heard our good friend Dion Arnold (Vancouver based comedian and silly, goofy, stupid, teasy, playful, fun loving, hilarious idiot) has been battling stage 4 Cutaneous Melanoma since he was diagnosed November 14th 2023.

He originally found a lump in his armpit in July, was told by his doctor that it was just a swollen lymph node and to wait 2 months. if it hadn't gone away by then, then the doctor would start some tests.

After waiting the two months with no change and then proceeding with these tests, he still needed to wait two months for results. Within a few weeks of getting these tests done Dion was in excruciating pain with 2 pinched nerves (This was caused by tumors growing on his spine which was found out much later).

Nov 14th Dion went to emergency, unable to perform day to day tasks. He was diagnosed within 4 hours, admitted and tested at St.Paul's for the next week and then released into the care of BC Cancer who has been treating him ever since.

Starting with a targeted drug therapy they were able to stop the spread, which was extensive, finding it's way to the liver, lungs, spine, as well as the tumor in the lymph node, which is still the largest of the tumors.

The lymph node is the cause of a lot of daily pain, difficulty sleeping, and inability to perform regular tasks, even sitting is difficult.

He's currently on a high dosage of hydromorphone, as well as a nerve painkiller, sleeping pills and anti-nausea medications.

Dion hasn't been able to work since September, which is where you come in. He's not expecting to be able to work anytime soon, and funds are running a little low. So he's looking for some help with basic costs of living.

We've been told the next few months will be the hardest of the treatment process. Dion is currently being treated with Immunotherapy as well as Radiation, both of which are leaving him extremely fatigued, sore, low energy, and in a lot of pain.

But he's not exactly a quitter and was actually excited to get the diagnosis, as it at the very least meant there could be a path out of the pain he was in at the time. To Dion there has never been a question of making it through or not, there has never been a chance of cancer winning this.

Dion is one of the most vibrant people and I know we all want to see him beat this battle and return back to living a full and healthy life.

If you want frequent updates and to check in on how Dion is doing follow him on instagram @dionarnoldd. Dion's been posting a lot of hopefully unrelatable cancer content. Be sure to check him out and join him in laughing in cancer's face.