Help Robert Lavigne with his cancer treatment

Hello all,

Our father, Robert Lavigne, has always been a proud and self-sufficient man. He has gone through great lengths and pains to provide for himself and his family for his entire life. Recently he has been taken quite ill, and it has taken a great deal of humility for him to ask for help from his friends, family and the greater community.

Which is why we, his family, are reaching out to everyone that might find it in their hearts to help him.

In 2020, like many Canadians, Robert lost his employment due to the Covid pandemic. Though he lost his work he did not lose his drive to work and spent much of 2020 applying for different positions. In 2021 he was fortunate to find a job that he was very excited about only to lose it after only a few weeks.

Unfortunately when he lost this position it was not due to the pandemic but because he had fallen ill and could not maintain the energy levels needed to accomplish his tasks. In late 2021 he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones, predominately in his hips and spine.

The pain from cancer in his bones was severe and impacted almost every aspect of his daily life. The medication he was taking to help with the pain as well as the cancer treatment has left him in a state of extreme fatigue and impacted his health to the point where he was no longer able to work.

When he lost his job it demoralized him mentally and emotionally, as well as financially.

For any of you that have spent any small amount of time with our dad you will know that his spirituality is foremost in his actions, words and life. It is one of the rare things that has been sustaining him during this difficult time.

Lately his children have seen that his spirituality is being put to the test. His limits have been pushed time and time again, mainly from pain and exhaustion. Finding the energy to smile and be happy is becoming more and more difficult.

Recently we were able to purchase him a new chair that he can sit in comfortably because even the pressure of laying on his bones is sometimes causing discomfort to him that is too great to sleep.

Currently he lives in a third-floor apartment in Ottawa. It is becoming an increasingly dangerous environment for him as his strength is beginning to fade and the stairs are becoming more and more difficult. There is a threat that dads strength could fail him and he could fall down the stairs.

He is actively looking to find a new home on the ground floor and rent is more costly since the pandemic crisis has effected everyone. His savings are being depleted at an alarming rate and we are all seeking assistance financially for him so that he can have a safe living environment.

Any assistance at all will be greatly appreciated as we try to resolve his living situation as urgently as possible.

Thank you so much for your time, energy, support and thoughts.