Stand with Nug Against Cancer
Donation protected
My uncle, Nug (Vernon) Yerxa, was the first love of my life. He was that one important person, as a child, who paid attention and truly seen me. I have never had to question how much he loves me because he always made sure I knew how special I was to him. He was more than a favourite uncle. He was a second father. Our relationship is so important to me that on my wedding day, I made sure he was part of all the special aspects. We even had our own dance to the classic Ben E. King’s song “Stand By Me” which is so fitting because he has always been there for me. Now it is time for me and my family to be there for him and I am humbly asking for you help.
Recently my uncle has been diagnosed with Stage 4A head & neck cancer. Currently, the cancer is in his throat and lymphnodes. The oncologist has been honest with us about how serious of a diagnosis this is which has been difficult and scary for him, and us as a family, to try to come to terms with. But nonetheless, we do appreciate the truth so we can begin planning on how to go through this process and support him, as best we can. My uncle is now in a battle for his life.
During the last appointment the oncologist, in preparing my uncle for what lies ahead of him, told him that he needs to think of treatment as having “35 punches and at the end he needs a knockout.” He also let my uncle know that this will be the hardest thing he will ever do in his life and that people have a very difficult time with the treatment where some do not complete it.
Shortly my Uncle Nug will be beginning treatment at which time, he will be required to come to Thunder Bay for 7 weeks. He will have radiation every day and chemotherapy will be introduced shortly after. This means that my uncle will no longer be able to work at his construction job which he absolutely loves. My uncle has been a hard and dedicated worker for over 40 years and unfortunately as much as he loves working, he does not have benefits with his employment. He will also be required to leave the comforts of his family, my Aunt Shelia (his wife), his son Joe and his beloved grandchildren. My Uncle and Aunt, at this time, have both decided that it is best that she continues to work, back home in Fort Frances, while my Uncle undergoes treatment 4 hours away in Thunder Bay. The reasoning for this is so they can try to make ends meet financially.
I am starting this go fund me page for my uncle to assist him and his family financially. I am starting it because I know my uncle never would. You see, he is a proud man and has always been so independent. My uncle really has the biggest heart and he never hesitates to help his family or friends. And yet, as ready as he always is to help others, he has such a difficult time asking for help for himself. But the truth is I know they need the help.
This is a long road ahead of him. For the immediate future, I am hoping that together we can raise enough funds where my Aunt can take the time off work, worry free of financial obligations, to be with him here in Thunder Bay while he goes through treatment. Cancer is scary and hard. I want to help make this tough journey as easy as possible on my Uncle and Aunt where they do not need to worry how they are going to pay the bills. I am hoping that enough funds can be raised so my Uncle is able to have his wife by his side as he undergoes radiation and chemotherapy. We all want him to beat cancer and having his loving and supportive wife by his side will be helpful and so needed for him stay in good spirits. Also, because this is going to be a long journey to recovery, and because the treatment is so intense and going to be really tough on his entire being, physically my uncle will be unable to work for at least the better part of a year. Once the treatment is done, he will need time to recover.
All proceeds raised here will go directly to my Uncle and Aunt. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Chi Miigwech (big thank you) for taking the time to read this. We appreciate if you could help in getting this out there so feel free to share on your social media accounts. Also any amount you are able to spare is greatly appreciated and will be so helpful. Please keep my uncle in your thought and prayers.
Please note that I did recieve permission from both my Aunt and Uncle
to go ahead with this gofundme page.
Recently my uncle has been diagnosed with Stage 4A head & neck cancer. Currently, the cancer is in his throat and lymphnodes. The oncologist has been honest with us about how serious of a diagnosis this is which has been difficult and scary for him, and us as a family, to try to come to terms with. But nonetheless, we do appreciate the truth so we can begin planning on how to go through this process and support him, as best we can. My uncle is now in a battle for his life.
During the last appointment the oncologist, in preparing my uncle for what lies ahead of him, told him that he needs to think of treatment as having “35 punches and at the end he needs a knockout.” He also let my uncle know that this will be the hardest thing he will ever do in his life and that people have a very difficult time with the treatment where some do not complete it.
Shortly my Uncle Nug will be beginning treatment at which time, he will be required to come to Thunder Bay for 7 weeks. He will have radiation every day and chemotherapy will be introduced shortly after. This means that my uncle will no longer be able to work at his construction job which he absolutely loves. My uncle has been a hard and dedicated worker for over 40 years and unfortunately as much as he loves working, he does not have benefits with his employment. He will also be required to leave the comforts of his family, my Aunt Shelia (his wife), his son Joe and his beloved grandchildren. My Uncle and Aunt, at this time, have both decided that it is best that she continues to work, back home in Fort Frances, while my Uncle undergoes treatment 4 hours away in Thunder Bay. The reasoning for this is so they can try to make ends meet financially.
I am starting this go fund me page for my uncle to assist him and his family financially. I am starting it because I know my uncle never would. You see, he is a proud man and has always been so independent. My uncle really has the biggest heart and he never hesitates to help his family or friends. And yet, as ready as he always is to help others, he has such a difficult time asking for help for himself. But the truth is I know they need the help.
This is a long road ahead of him. For the immediate future, I am hoping that together we can raise enough funds where my Aunt can take the time off work, worry free of financial obligations, to be with him here in Thunder Bay while he goes through treatment. Cancer is scary and hard. I want to help make this tough journey as easy as possible on my Uncle and Aunt where they do not need to worry how they are going to pay the bills. I am hoping that enough funds can be raised so my Uncle is able to have his wife by his side as he undergoes radiation and chemotherapy. We all want him to beat cancer and having his loving and supportive wife by his side will be helpful and so needed for him stay in good spirits. Also, because this is going to be a long journey to recovery, and because the treatment is so intense and going to be really tough on his entire being, physically my uncle will be unable to work for at least the better part of a year. Once the treatment is done, he will need time to recover.
All proceeds raised here will go directly to my Uncle and Aunt. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Chi Miigwech (big thank you) for taking the time to read this. We appreciate if you could help in getting this out there so feel free to share on your social media accounts. Also any amount you are able to spare is greatly appreciated and will be so helpful. Please keep my uncle in your thought and prayers.
Please note that I did recieve permission from both my Aunt and Uncle
to go ahead with this gofundme page.
Organizer
Jana-Rae Yerxa
Organizer
Thunder Bay, ON
