December 26, 2021

Following Kaz’s successful surgery to remove the tumor from his body, we received some disheartening and sad news that Kaz has no choice but to undergo chemotherapy. To eradicate the fast-growing cancer cells that have invaded Kaz's body twice in the span of a decade, chemotherapy will be necessary to help prevent this from ever happening again. 

As we digest this news, the one thing that keeps us going is that “life is not a series of meaningless accidents or coincidences, it consists of a tapestry of events and experiences that culminate in some kind of divine master plan”. We must keep the faith, pray for clarity, and hope that after all this, Kaz will come out a stronger and healthier man.

After consulting with 5 different doctors and getting second opinions, his chemo treatment will begin on January 4 and will consist of a 5 day stay at the hospital that will cost thousands of dollars. So we, as a family, continue to humbly ask for your help. Not only will Kaz have to endure the grueling side effects, pain, and suffering of chemo, but must also bear the financial burden of having to pay for his own treatment, hospital fees, tests, after-care, return to Canada and the consequent lifestyle-change associated with cancer recovery.

For Kaz to return to a normal life after all this will require a big effort not only from him, but by everyone around him (near or far) to help support in whatever way possible in this time of grave circumstance. Please, if there is anything you can do to help support Kaz in his recovery journey, we open our hearts to you, and are always welcome to any form of assistance. Thank you, kindly. Well wishes for the new year.  

November 15, 2021

As the world changes, so do the conditions in our lives as individuals. The ups and downs, the ebb and flow, they come and they go; and all we can do is accept whatever comes our way.

 

On November 10, 2021, not even one month after his arrival in Canada, my cousin, Kaz was re-diagnosed with Testicular cancer. He came to Vancouver on October 21, 2021 after an almost 2-year delay after facing an incredibly difficult isolation/lockdown in the Philippines. He had finally gotten a chance to start fresh, restart his career, and begin his new life; only to wake up one morning to a swollen testicle, and his life, forever changed, once again.

 

Joseph Campbell said that we must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us. Nobody ever plans for cancer, and yet here we are, millions of people affected directly or indirectly by the disease, faced with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Life is hard, it can be incredibly difficult to navigate, but with the help of others we can help alleviate some of the pain and suffering of the human condition. It is through this love, kindness and compassion for our fellow human beings that we are able to heal each other, and in turn, ourselves. It is, always will be, and will remain to be, unconditional.

 

And so, we as a family have humbly come to ask for your help. Friends, family, relatives, acquaintances and anybody with the capacity to aid Kaz in this time of great need, we appreciate your support through these challenging times.

 

After 13 years in remission from his first cancer, it has returned, unmercifully, and will require immediate surgery to remove the tumor. Since Kaz does not have Canadian residency, we have decided as a family and with the professional advice and consultation of the doctors here in Vancouver that the best course of action is for Kaz to return to Manila, Philippines for the surgery. This also allows him to reconnect with his old medical team from all those years ago. The journey will be long and arduous, but we have faith that the best outcome will come to light. Everything happens for a reason and we choose to be positive; we choose healing, and we choose to see the light amidst the darkness. Ultimately, acceptance. Trust.

 

As you can imagine, Kaz had invested a significant amount to come to Canada and start his new life but is now suddenly faced with this unexpected medical and travel expense. If you would like to help Kaz in any manner (big or small, in kind or in words), it would be much appreciated and needed. We have set up this page to help support Kaz through his surgery, treatment, and ultimately his return back to Canada for work. He returns to the Philippines on Tuesday evening, November 16, exactly 26 days since he first arrived in Vancouver.

 

Transcending fear with trust. We pray things will work out for the best and that God is on our side.

Thank you for your time and support.

 

With love, gratitude, and immense appreciation,

 

Ferrer Family