The fight against GIST cancer is ON
Donation protected
In March of 2015 my dad, Gilles Belanger, was diagnosed with Gastro intestinal stromal cancer. The diagnose came after having to go through emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction. A biopsy was done during the surgery and it came back positive for GIST. It was emotionally scary but the prognosis was positive. In May 2015 a 2nd surgery was performed to remove the tumors. After the recovery was completed my dad started taking a daily does of oral chemo.
The Chemotherapy work well for a while but in October 2016 a CT Scan revealed that the GIST was back and had spread. In November 2016 a 3rd surgery was done to remove 30% of his bowels and the tumors surrounding the bowels. He kept on taking daily oral chemo but the dose was doubled. Time goes on with no further complications, until November 2017 as severe abdominal pains start coming back, CT scan reveals cancer is back and the chemo is now ineffective.
Luckily other chemo options exist. My dad starts a new chemo that appears to work. April 2018 my dad goes back under for a 4th surgery but this time they cannot remove all the cancer as it is to close to the mesentaric artery. Recovery goes well. To our dismay my dad starts to have abdominal and back pain 5 weeks after surgery. A CT scan is done and the results are awful...A new tumor has appeared only 20 days after surgery. He immediately starts a new chemo medication. After 1 round of chemo, a PET scan confirms that the cancer is active and the chemotherapy is useless and no other currently available Medication in Canada can help him.
His Oncologist is part of the LifeRaft Group which helps GIST patients and was able to locate a Clinical Trial in Toronto. He immediately made the necessary arrangements to submit his case to see if he could be accepted in this trial. On Monday June 18th we got good news, my Dad's case was accepted for the trial.
Which is what leads up to this go fund me page, although the medical treatments are covered, travel and lodging expenses are not. Already being on medical leave, having a wife and kids to support, these monthly trips to Toronto will take their toll financially. My dad was on medical EI since March 2018 but this has run out.
My dad has left no stone un-turned as he's contacted MSI, Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Survivor Network and the Nova Scotia Cancer Center asking if there is any financial assistance available. All the answers were the same, no financial aid is available. My dad even called the office of the Minister of Health&Wellness, the Honourable Randy Delorey. He was able to talk to his secretary and explain his predicament. He was told to send an email to the minister and they would look into it. He's yet to receive any feedback or reply.
This is why we are reaching out to all of you, anything you can spare for a dad of 5, who just wants to live and see his kids and future grand kids grow up. My Dad is a pillar for his family, always staying strong and positive through the toughest of times. He is selfless and always puts everyone's needs above his. He has the heart of a warrior, I know he will do everything in his power to keep on fighting, he just needs a little of your help. Please help my brother, my sisters and I to have my Dad around with us for the longest time possible.
Thank you
Much Love
The Belanger Family
The Chemotherapy work well for a while but in October 2016 a CT Scan revealed that the GIST was back and had spread. In November 2016 a 3rd surgery was done to remove 30% of his bowels and the tumors surrounding the bowels. He kept on taking daily oral chemo but the dose was doubled. Time goes on with no further complications, until November 2017 as severe abdominal pains start coming back, CT scan reveals cancer is back and the chemo is now ineffective.
Luckily other chemo options exist. My dad starts a new chemo that appears to work. April 2018 my dad goes back under for a 4th surgery but this time they cannot remove all the cancer as it is to close to the mesentaric artery. Recovery goes well. To our dismay my dad starts to have abdominal and back pain 5 weeks after surgery. A CT scan is done and the results are awful...A new tumor has appeared only 20 days after surgery. He immediately starts a new chemo medication. After 1 round of chemo, a PET scan confirms that the cancer is active and the chemotherapy is useless and no other currently available Medication in Canada can help him.
His Oncologist is part of the LifeRaft Group which helps GIST patients and was able to locate a Clinical Trial in Toronto. He immediately made the necessary arrangements to submit his case to see if he could be accepted in this trial. On Monday June 18th we got good news, my Dad's case was accepted for the trial.
Which is what leads up to this go fund me page, although the medical treatments are covered, travel and lodging expenses are not. Already being on medical leave, having a wife and kids to support, these monthly trips to Toronto will take their toll financially. My dad was on medical EI since March 2018 but this has run out.
My dad has left no stone un-turned as he's contacted MSI, Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Survivor Network and the Nova Scotia Cancer Center asking if there is any financial assistance available. All the answers were the same, no financial aid is available. My dad even called the office of the Minister of Health&Wellness, the Honourable Randy Delorey. He was able to talk to his secretary and explain his predicament. He was told to send an email to the minister and they would look into it. He's yet to receive any feedback or reply.
This is why we are reaching out to all of you, anything you can spare for a dad of 5, who just wants to live and see his kids and future grand kids grow up. My Dad is a pillar for his family, always staying strong and positive through the toughest of times. He is selfless and always puts everyone's needs above his. He has the heart of a warrior, I know he will do everything in his power to keep on fighting, he just needs a little of your help. Please help my brother, my sisters and I to have my Dad around with us for the longest time possible.
Thank you
Much Love
The Belanger Family
Organizer
Gilles Belanger
Organizer
Lower Sackville, NS