Support Cory Whitney's Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

For those that do not know yet, the Whitney family is really going through it. In April, a month before his 40th birthday, Cory was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, otherwise known as PDAC or Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. The only indicator was a few months of digestive issues and as the shock settles in, the reality dose of this destructive cancer is ever-changing for their family.

Our desire to assist is deeply personal. Thomas and I moved to town for a season nearly 12 years ago. Cory and April immediately gave us the family we were far away from eventually leading us to make a home.

Over the years they would have our back, teach us their camping spots and how to ski, share their home for the holidays, support us in building a business, lend an ear when things were hard and cheer us when things were good.

And they did this purely because they are made up of all that is good in this world.

These are the things they do for so many in this community. Their businesses supported your businesses. Their personal hours helped make this community all of ours.

I am certain so many of you have a similar story.

Amongst the 100 ways Cory made Frenchie's possible (the toughest lifting and always with a gentle insistence that we not do it alone) are the bushes planted outside of the building. Him putting them in the ground was our first sign of true confidence. I have often watered them to calm my mind or work a problem.

And now it seems there is a problem that we cannot work with just will.

Although Cory is tackling his 8th round of aggressive chemo head on and with an outward demeanor that could fool a seasoned poker player, the side effects are mounting. He has had to step down from his job to prioritize survival. All while he and April are doing all that is humanly possible to provide as much normalcy as possible for their daughter Sienna.

I have heard many people wanting to help. Ever the private and well-mannered soul, Cory would not be quick to suggest a way. As medical bills, cobra, out of state travel for any solution that can be found and the 100 ways life adds up, it is time I do the asking.

My hope is that it can help take the edge off just enough effort to leave a little heart space for family supper, a night of camping or cheering on Sienna's soccer games.

If it is in your ability, I would like to ask for your help in holding these humans up as they adjust to whatever the newest normal is for them.

Their gratitude is already immense just from people hoping to help. I cannot imagine what a little leg up will do.