Philip's Battle Against Liver Cancer

Hello everyone, my name is Philip MacIsaac. I’ve lived a life shaped by resilience, determination and a passion for learning and martial arts.

Born in 1956, my journey has been marked by challenges and triumphs alike. I dropped out of school in Grade 10 but returned years later to earn a graduate science degree from Guelph University and taught sciences at both Sheridan and Mohawk Colleges.

My love for practicing and teaching martial arts has been a constant throughout my life. I achieved a black belt in judo and was honored to receive a black belt in BJJ from esteemed instructors Danny Hale and Mark Bocek.

In December 2023 , I experienced the devastating loss of my partner and love of my life, Wendy Joanne Duff. Her passing left an immense void in my life.

Additionally, in 2021, I was diagnosed with HCC liver cancer, plunging me into a battle for survival against this relentless disease.

Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Supporters

I am reaching out to you today with a heartfelt plea for help in my battle against liver cancer, a diagnosis that has changed my life in ways I never imagined. My tumor has increased in size over the last two scans.

As I grapple with this reality, I’m faced with the stark truth that the only treatment available to me in Canada is radiation therapy.

Unfortunately, this treatment comes with debilitating side effects, including the risk of secondary cancers and radiation induced liver disease (RILD). This is because the radiation passes through the tumor and continues to damage and kill healthy liver tissue as it passes out through the liver.

This effect is particularly dangerous for patients with HCC that already have cirrhosis (like me), as it destroys the ability of the liver to function properly by further decompensating the cirrhosis; studies show that cirrhotic HCC patients are at far greater risk from radiation therapy.

Best Alternative Treatment Option

Proton Beam Therapy offers a ray of hope amidst the darkness. Unlike the radiation therapy offered in Canada, proton beam therapy effectively targets cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

The beam of protons hits the tumor and stops there. This means fewer debilitating side effects, allowing patients like me to maintain a higher quality of life during and after treatment. This therapy has a very high success rate at minimizing secondary damage.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7052772/

The Urgency of Accessing Proton Beam Therapy Abroad:

Regrettably, Canada is the only G8 country without proton beam therapy facilities, leaving patients like me with no choice but to seek treatment abroad, in order to avoid the damaging effects of radiation therapy.

A 2021 study by Ontario Health recommended publicly funding proton beam therapy in Ontario but to date nothing has been done.

https://www.hqontario.ca/evidence-to-improve-care/health-technology-assessment/reviews-and-recommendations/proton-beam-therapy-for-cancer-in-children-and-adults

After extensive research, I’ve found a treatment center in Spain offering proton beam therapy at a cost of 50,000 Euros (approximately $70,000 Canadian dollars). This was less expensive than all options I looked at in the United States.

My tumor is growing steadily and the time for me to access this treatment is running out.

How You Can Help:

I’m humbly reaching out to you, my cherished community, for your support in this critical time. Your generous contributions will help alleviate the financial burden of accessing proton beam therapy abroad and give me the best chance at beating liver cancer while minimizing the risk of radiation induced liver damage.

Every Donation Counts:

Any amount of donation, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference in my journey toward healing and recovery. Your kindness, compassion, and solidarity give me hope and strength as I face this daunting challenge head on.

Please Donate and Share:

If you’re able to contribute financially, please consider donating to my GoFundMe campaign. Your support will bring me one step closer to receiving life-saving treatment and reclaiming my health and well-being.

Additionally, I kindly ask that you share my campaign with your networks and spread the word far and wide. Together, we can rally support and make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer and the need for access to proton beam therapy in Canada

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Proton Beam Therapy should be available as an option to all Canadians with cancer who require radiation therapy, to give them the best chance to avoid the damaging side effects of the radiation therapy currently provided in Canada.

The fact that proton beam therapy is available to all other G8 countries except Canada should be a rallying call for us to lobby our government to make it available here.

Closing Thoughts:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story and for considering a donation towards my cancer treatment. Your compassion, generosity and solidarity give me hope and strength as I navigate this challenging journey.

With your support, I am confident I can overcome this obstacle and emerge stronger than ever. Together, we can pave the way for access to better life-saving treatments for ALL Canadians facing cancer.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Philip MacIsaac