Help needed for David Gillespie

My name is Kim Wallace and I am fundraising on behalf of my uncle David Gillespie.

If you know me, you know I don’t ask for help so this is tough for me. I apologize in advance to anyone who knows Dave and is just reading about this here. Things are happening so fast, it’s been impossible to update everyone personally.

My uncle, David (Dave) Gillespie who turned 56 on April 1, went to the hospital with an excruciating headache on February 26, 2025. He was immediately sent to Toronto for further testing as they found lesions on the brain. Further testing showed spots on his lung and he immediately began the process of radiation for the brain lesions.

Fast forward 2 weeks and he began experiencing abdominal pain which has been debilitating. This has been caused by fluid buildup in his abdominal which now requires draining every few days. The spots in the lungs seem to have progressed and it appears this are spreading at a rate the doctors have said they have never seen before. Quicker than biopsy results are coming in to determine how to move forward.

The doctors believe we are dealing with an aggressive cancer that is attacking his organs one by one. Currently, he is dealing with lung, liver, kidney, bowel and brain related issues and things are changing daily. Every scan and new set of blood work shows more happening.

Chemo is set to begin at RVH soon but at this point, even if it happens, it’s a short term option to give him a bit more time.

The prognosis from the doctors at this point is not good. We have turned to every option available to him to try and give him a fighting chance. We have heard every term and saying that everyone dreads and fears. From Stage 4, to palliative to we will keep you comfortable to I’m so sorry there isn’t more we can do.

If you know Dave, you know he has never smoked, is active, plays hockey on a regular basis and coaches junior hockey. He is a father of 2 young men and is a grandfather to 2 young kids. There is no lifestyle or family history as to why this is happening to him.

He is still staying positive and willing to fight as hard as he can but this comes at a cost. He is unable to work right now due to being hospitalized because of his symptoms. He is a seasonal worker so unemployment will be limited as he was off for the winter months already and is unable to return to work now due to his condition.

We have found alternative medicine options which are costly and will require him to rest in between western medicine treatments also.

I am begging anyone who knows our family and/or Dave to please help in any way you can. We will fight as hard as we can to get Dave every treatment possible at this point.

All money donated will help go towards: treatments, Dave’s day to day bills, travel expenses including helping with flights for his 2 sons. One is in Alberta and the other 12 hours away in remote northern Ontario. Additionally any donations will be used to do any repairs to Dave’s place following the ice storm last week and for any unexpected costs that keep popping up.

I will do my best to provide updates here for everyone and thank all of you for any donation you can make and/or prayers you say for David and his loved ones.