My name is Suzune, and I am Nathan’s oldest daughter.

No matter what, my father always kept things interesting. He taught me kickboxing (imagine a six-year-old girl trying to take down her six-foot-tall father) and I inherited my love of reading from him. His book collection is no joke. Some of my fondest memories are of him taking me berry picking in the woods every summer. He taught me how to kayak and how to swim. My father loved the outdoors and staying active, and everyone who knew him respected him.

In 2021, my father was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 48. It was a shock to all of us.

Right after his diagnosis, he had his entire thyroid removed. Unfortunately, the doctors weren't able to remove all of the tumors because they were too close to vital surrounding structures. We were told he had likely been living with cancer for at least ten years, and soon after, we learned that it had spread to his lungs and brain.

He underwent two radioactive iodine treatments and multiple radiation treatments to his lungs and brain. He faced every one of them like a champ.

Despite our best efforts, the cancer continued to progress and spread, including into multiple areas of his muscle tissue. In the summer of 2025, his weight started to drop dramatically because of the tumors narrowing his throat and making swallowing extremely difficult. He was repeatedly hospitalized with pneumonia caused by aspiration from trying to eat.

He also suffers from seizures due to the tumor in his brain. He must take seizure medication every day, and these episodes often lead to hospital visits and have greatly impacted his ability to work.

Most recently, two of his brain tumors bled, causing them to swell. This has resulted in confusion as well as difficulties with mobility, speech, and memory. He is no longer able to move around or leave the house on his own and he requires around-the-clock care.

On December 28th 2025, my father was taken to the emergency room with the flu. Five years ago, he would not have thought twice about a seasonal flu, but now it requires hospitalization.

He has since recovered from the flu, but to improve his nutrition and reduce the risk of aspiration in the future, a feeding tube was placed directly into his stomach. All of his nutrition and medication is now given through this tube multiple times a day. We are hopeful that he will begin to regain some weight and strength.

Unfortunately, at this point in his progression, treatment is no longer an option. His brain is too sensitive to receive any more radiation or chemotherapy treatment. We are now focusing on his quality of life and making sure we have as much time with him as possible.

Up until his most recent hospitalization, he continued working to support his family. My father is a strong and resilient man, and he loves his job. As a child, I thought he had the coolest job in the world. I always won the “my dad could beat up your dad” arguments. My father’s greatest joy is being a dad. He loves all his children deeply and has taught us so much. It is incredibly difficult for all of us to see him so weak, and I cannot imagine what he must be going through.

The doctors once told us that most people with his diagnosis do not live past one year. Five years later, he is still fighting and overcoming the impossible. We are so grateful that he is still here with us. His resilience has taught me never to give up and to cherish the time we have together.

The money raised will go toward my father’s medications, medical equipment, and helping to keep our family afloat as we care for him.

I would like to thank Jasmyne and the team for organizing this fundraiser. Our family has been touched by the overwhelming amount of wonderful people who care so much about my father.

We are deeply grateful to the amazing medical staff at BC Cancer and Vancouver General Hospital who have supported us through my father’s treatments and complications. My father is humbled by the amount of love and support he has received, and he truly appreciates every person who has stood by him.

We sincerely thank you for your help as we support my father in his fight against cancer.