Supporting Richard's fight w/ Cancer

My doc stated this on January 25, 2018 “Mr. Paton was seen today in the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Clinic for consideration of radiotherapy for a new diagnosis of locally advanced tonsil cancer (throat cancer).” I am a 50-year-old gentleman from Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada who noticed a lump initially as I was shaving early on in December 2016. I currently have a few minor issues with swallowing and/or breathing. I went to the emergency department in Iqaluit where they found a large tonsillar mass which was confirmed with a CT scan of my neck and chest. The CT scan in Iqaluit showed an approximately 5 cm mass centered in the left tonsil, invading into the parapharyngeal space. There were also multiple lymphadenopathy in level 2 and 3 on the left as well as the left parotid. Other CT scans showed no signs of metastases. I am thankful there is a plan in place to remove the lump through radiation and chemotherapy. I have been here for the last 15 days and have about 2 weeks of pre-assessment and than 7 weeks of treatment. The challenge for me is I am 3000km away from home, and have a loving wife and 4 boys who are without their sole income earner for the next 2-3 months. My wife, Jimmy Paton, is in College in her final year of becoming a teacher, and it is hard for all of us during this time. I am looking for assistance financially to get my family down to Ottawa to be with me for a portion of the treatment. It is probably harder on her and my boys than I and by putting in place a plan to bring them down will enable me to focus on treatment and not worry so much how they are doing. Your assistance during this time will also help me address other financial needs as my time here will put me into leave without pay in about a month for about 2-3 months and I am looking to be prepared for that time including the recovery time after treatment. I anticipate that the trip costs are about $5500 (Iqaluit to Ottawa and return) for all 5 of my family if I am able to get reduced fares. If interested you can check rates on Canadian North and or First Air, both have daily flights and the only way in and out of the community is by air. In addition I anticipate needing about the same amount for hotels and meals while they are here, and a as yet undetermined amount for when I go on leave without pay. At the moment, my goal is set at $12,000.00 It is never easy when a loved one says to you “I have cancer”, it was even harder knowing I was the one to state it to my wife and children. I know that this is curable and there is a good chance I will live a longer life span than what we feel at the moment in our hearts. I am simply trying to provide a level of comfort that I know she deserves and if this means writing out for help and sharing my story I am willing to do this. I sincerely appreciate any assistance available. Thank you