Mike vs the brain tumour

I am organizing this fundraiser for my son Michael Rawson Clark.

Mike is a cherished fun loving, exuberant, devoted father, husband, brother, friend and son, he is a scientist, an entrepreneur and a pioneer.

He grew up in Regina, Sk. with his brothers Ian, Eric and Joel and lives in Edmonton, AB with his wife Dawn and toddler Lauchlin.

Mike was diagnosed with a brain tumour on March 1, 2008 in the emergency department of the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. He took a break from studies to recuperate and then received his M.Sc, Plant Biology, U of A  and started his company Clark Ecoscience & Sustainability in 2010.

 Mike’s resiliency is amazing and coupled with his enthusiasm for life helped him to heal from his first surgery in November 2011. When he recovered Mike continued to co-author scientific and technical papers, build his company, hire students and train employees while pioneering in the field of ecosystem rebuilding and grow his own native plants at his greenhouse for use in projects. All seemed well.

He received radiation to treat the tumour in 2014. In the fall of 2017 Mike was informed that the brain tumour he has been dealing with was growing again and that he needed a second surgery. The medical term for the tumour is anaplastic astrocytoma. As a result of the second, more invasive surgery Mike had to learn to communicate again, speaking, reading, and writing. He also lost sight in the upper, outer quadrants of his vision, creating new challenges in his life, and again his resilience and determination helped him through this. He retained his sense of humor, his fun-loving nature and dedication to his dream of helping others to contribute to the world in healthy, sustainable ways. He went back to work.

Mike and Dawn learned that Dawn was pregnant with their first child at the time of the last surgery. Their son Lauchlin was born in June, 2018. Mike is incredibly grateful for the time he has been able to have with his baby Lauchlin and his goal is to be able to watch Lauchlin grow up.  Dawn has been by Mike’s side throughout his battle with cancer. The tumour is growing aggressively and unfortunately  chemo didn’t stop it. Mike and his doctors are looking at Clinical Trials in North America.

The money being raised is for medical expenses, travel and other expenses involved in getting to the trials. There are three promising trials, two in California and one in Texas that are recruiting at this time. We travel to Calgary next week to meet with doctors there to discuss options.  The money will also be used to help with the family’s expenses. Dawn is the sole provider for the family now that Mike is no longer able to work and has had to close his business. As a self-employed person there is very little financial assistance available to Michael and he is worried about providing for his family. In typical Mike fashion he says he will focus on his health when he knows they are taken care of. This will give him peace of mind so that he can focus on his health without financial worry.

 We appreciate that many of you have expressed your desire to help in some way.  We thank you if this is how you choose to help. Thank you for all the love, support and prayers, we are stronger with your help. Please use this space to connect with Mike and share your stories and memories with him.

 

 Thank you!