Help Ray Spencer Fight Cancer

Final Update:

Thank you, all, for your donations and support over the past six+ months! Your help has relieved so much stress, and provided much-needed encouragement. You are awesome.

Mom and Ray are finally back home, and Ray's cancer medications are now being covered, so I'm closing this donation box. You are still welcome to leave words of support, if you wish.

Take a look below for a final update from both Mom and Ray.

- Sarah

Update:

Just as we thought Ray was on his last round of chemo, he received some disappointing news. (See Mom's update below for the details.) After a great deal of deliberation, his doctors have changed his treatment plan to provide the best care possible. This new plan includes $24,000 worth of drugs that are not covered so I have increased the goal of this campaign to help them with this additional expense. Please share this page with everyone you can to help us reach our new goal. Thank you all so much for your help, kindness, and generosity; it has truly made all the difference. 

- Sarah

Original Post:

Father, grandfather, husband, musician, retired teacher and all-around wonderful human being, Ray Spencer has developed blood cancer (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) and is undergoing treatment in Vancouver.

 

On December 20th, Ray went from his home in Sooke to Vancouver General Hospital by ambulance, by way of Victoria Hospital where doctors quickly diagnosed him with leukemia. His son, Kelly, and his wife, Solange, followed along in their own car managing to reach the ferry at the same time as the ambulance. As the tests confirmed diagnosis and first rounds of treatment have progressed, it has become clear that Ray and Solange will need to stay close to VGH for about six months while Ray continues his fight. There will be significant costs that are not covered by medical insurance; the high cost of accommodations will be the biggest challenge. Any support you are able to offer the family as they navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

 

The goal of this campaign is to raise money to help Ray and Solange pay rent on an apartment near Vancouver General Hospital so that Ray is able to complete this life-saving treatment. Luckily, they were able to find a place to stay near the hospital, for $100/night, where Solange stayed for the first ten days so that she could be at the hospital with Ray as much as possible. She was then able to find a bachelor suite (a fourth floor walk-up for $2400) across the road from the hospital for the month of January. Ray will hopefully be released from the hospital in February so they will need a more suitable place, preferably something where they can be reunited with 6-month-old Molly, because nothing lifts the spirits like bonding time with your puppy. The search is still on but the expected monthly rent will be at least $2500.

 

Please donate if you can, and share the link to this page using the hashtag #helpRayFightCancer on your socials, to your email contacts, and any other contacts you’re comfortable with.

 

Below you will find words from Ray, Solange, family, and friends explaining the situation Ray now finds himself in, as well as his generous and creative spirit:

 

Words from Ray and Solange

 

A few months back if you had asked me what leukemia was, I would have said something like … 'blood cancer' and would have been off to Wikipedia for details. Soon after my initial diagnosis they narrowed it down to Acute Myeloid Leukemia which sounded more ominous. That was December 20.

 

From that day and on I have become part of the cancer world and have such respect for all the medical team that are taking care of me and others here at Vancouver Hospital. They are truly amazing. AML is a serious blood cancer with treatment that involves chemotherapy, a host of medications, blood transfusions and a possible bone marrow transplant. My new constant companion is Stuart (named after Stuart McLean from the Vinyl Cafe). Stuart is my IV pole through which life saving drugs and blood are connected to me. He goes everywhere with me. From my window high up on the 16th floor of the Vancouver General Hospital, I look down at the world below and then look forward to the day when I can be down there breathing fresh air too. My wife, Solange, is my support system here at the hospital and my children and grandchildren are with me every step of the way through my phone and computer. Thank goodness for tech. I am eternally thankful to my friends and extended family members who are keeping me in touch with the world and are sending messages of support. Since beginning cancer treatment, I have gained a new appreciation for blood donors. Their gift is given freely and voluntarily … just doing the right thing. I am deeply moved by donors’ generosity. I have a bucket list but most things in there are pretty personal - it’s time to think outside my wonderful circle and add some bigger items. First on my list is to ask people to give blood. I will be spreading the word soon when my birthday rolls around - no gifts please - I have everything I could possibly want or need.

You get the idea.

- Ray

 

Unexpectedly on December 19, our world was turned upside down. I brought Ray to Emergency because he wasn’t feeling well and by the next morning he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and brought to Vancouver General Hospital. We had no time to absorb the news or make plans, and no idea what was in store for us. Ray is undergoing intensive chemotherapy in the hospital for the first month and then he will continue treatments, hopefully as an outpatient, for about six months. We have been told that we need to be no farther than half an hour away from the hospital during this time. This is a huge and unexpected financial burden because the cost of accommodations in Vancouver is so high and we still have all the expenses for our home in Sooke. We would appreciate any support you might give us and are thankful for all the wonderful people who have reached out to us with comforting messages and practical help. We are so grateful to my daughter, Sarah, who is looking after our house and puppy so well, as well as to my daughter, Laura, who is providing support from afar. Ray has said that one of his greatest wishes is to pay it forward when he is able.

- Solange

 

 

 

 

Words from Ray's Family

 

Family is everything to Ray Spencer. This beloved father, step-father, and grandfather from Victoria BC knew he had to fight when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia on December 20th. 2021. A retired teacher, musician, community member and grandfather of three, Ray has a love for art, music, woodworking and the outdoors. He was preparing for Christmas and finishing building his granddaughters’ little alphabet blocks when he fell ill. He has been moved to Vancouver General Hospital and has started aggressive chemotherapy. He has the full intention of kicking cancer’s butt! His positive mindset will get him through this.

 

As you can imagine my Dad and Solange have had to uproot their life in Sooke to move to Vancouver for several months of care. We are hoping people can either donate to take away some financial worry or just send him or Solange a kind message during this time to keep him positive.

 

Please take time to share Ray’s story on social media to help him fight and to raise awareness of this devastating disease.

- Jenelle Spencer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Sunday, December 19th, Mom drove Ray to Victoria General’s emergency room not knowing why he was feeling so ill. By evening they still didn’t know anything, but Ray was admitted into the hospital so Mom went home to sleep. On Sunday morning she returned to the hospital after dropping Molly off with me for what we assumed would be a few hours. But a few hours later we got a diagnosis: acute leukemia. Probably the worst diagnosis possible for a couple of reasons. First, because it meant treatment needed to start immediately, without even being able to go home first. And second, because both of Mom’s parents died of cancer right around Christmas, which compounded the shock and pain of this news. Neither Ray nor Mom got to say goodbye to Molly before they left for Vancouver. I’ve been taking care of her and their house in Sooke, which I will continue to do until Ray is released from the hospital to complete his treatment as an outpatient. Mom was able to come home for one night in the middle of January. The tearful reunion between her and her puppy made it all the more clear to me how important it is for both of them to be reunited as soon as possible. We have some leads on places the three of them can stay, but renting any place in Vancouver is a huge and unexpected expense that I’m hoping we can all help them out with a bit. Please share this page to help relieve not only their financial stress, but to help bring this little family back together so that Ray has the best chance of beating this thing, and so that Mom and Molly can be there with him.

- Sarah Busch

 

 

 

 

Words from Friends and Community

 

Ray Spencer is a personal friend and a friend of all musically creative beings in Sooke. In 2017, he and his love, Solange, hosted an important AGM of the Sooke Folk Music Society (SFMS) and at a critical moment they kept the ball rolling by offering their hospitality, talents, ideas and gifts. He inspired a group of like-minded people to journey with him and SFMS has thrived even through a global pandemic. Inspiring artists is one of the things Ray loves doing; he passionately brings together songwriters “in the round” to sing and tell stories of the heart. His energy is vital to Sooke and beyond, as he carries this creative light to venues all over Vancouver Island. As a newer friend, I have yet to join Ray & Solange on one of their camping trips where fireside musical moments are sure to abound. I am trusting with all my heart that Ray will respond positively to treatment and that by summer he will be back with us all. I am honoured to do whatever small thing I can to support Ray & Solange as they face these serious health challenges.

- Nellie T.

 

I met Solange soon after she and Ray moved to Sooke five years ago. She is a very passionate gardener who is always willing to help other gardeners as a formal mentor and through casual discussions. She has made so many contributions to the Sooke Garden Club for which I’m the president. Solange was a valuable member of the executive as Membership Director and she helped with the Club's 50th Anniversary Celebration events including designing the garden at Ayre Manor. Ray and a couple musician friends played at this community event to celebrate our anniversary. Solange has offered her yard for garden tours and small group gatherings and occasionally Ray has provided live entertainment which is enjoyed by all. Along with all her Garden Club duties, she volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Sunriver Orchard and is involved with the folk music association. She is a great asset to Sooke in so many ways and we look forward to the day that she and Ray can come home and be part of our community again.

- Lori K.