Standing with Troy "T-Bone" Wilson: A Community Leader’s Fight for More Time

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Right now, Troy "T-Bone" Wilson cannot do this alone.

For more than 30 years, Troy has been a pillar in our community. Many know him from his 25 years as an Educational Assistant supporting children with behavioral challenges, autism, and special needs. Others know him from 22 years of coaching at Eli Pasquale Basketball Camps, where he poured into young athletes not just as a coach, but as a mentor and role model. He opened his home to rehabilitated juvenile youth through the YMCA. For the last 16 years, he has been the proud owner and operator of the multi-award-winning Status Barbershop.

Troy is a devoted husband, a proud father of three, a mentor, coach, and the heart behind Status. He has quietly lifted others up for decades, often without recognition. He has mentored at-risk youth, provided free haircuts to families facing financial hardship, supported struggling households, coached countless young athletes, and created a space where people felt seen, respected, and valued.

If you have ever sat in his chair, you know it was never just a haircut. It was laughter when life felt heavy. It was wisdom shared between clippers. It was mentorship disguised as conversation. It was someone believing in you before you believed in yourself.

Through his non-profit initiative, "No Child Left Uncut," Troy has led fundraisers, community events, and donated thousands of dollars and free haircuts to homeless individuals and youth throughout Victoria. Giving has never been something he talked about — it is simply who he is.

Now, Troy is facing advanced Stage 4 peritoneal cancer.

For the past two years, he has quietly and privately battled cancer, self-funding treatments and protecting his family from the spotlight. Recently, he was told his condition is inoperable in Canada. But hope remains. A specialized medical clinic in Spain is offering advanced treatment designed to extend both his life and the quality of time he has with his family.

Troy is 49 years old. He is the father of 10-year-old twins and a 4-year-old whose worlds light up when Dad walks through the door. His wife shared, "The kids still believe Dad can beat anything. We just want more time together."

That is what this campaign is about.

More time.

More bedtime stories.

More basketball games.

More milestones that matter.

The projected cost for treatment, international travel, accommodations, and maintaining stability for his family exceeds $150,000 and is not covered by public healthcare. To make this achievable, we are approaching this in three clear phases:

Phase 1: Treatment Deposit & Initial Travel

Secures the treatment deposit, flights, and initial accommodations. This phase is urgent — without it, treatment cannot begin.

Phase 2: Active Treatment

Covers ongoing care, travel, and living expenses during treatment abroad.

Phase 3: Recovery & Family Stability

Supports post-treatment care and helps protect his children’s future while Troy is unable to work full-time and his wife balances employment with caregiving.

Your donation directly supports life-extending care in Spain, travel expenses, accommodations, and stability for his family during this critical time.

Every contribution — big or small — matters.

Troy has shown up for this community for decades. Now it is our turn to show up for him.

If you can donate, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you are unable to give, please consider sharing this campaign. Let’s surround Troy with the same strength, generosity, and heart he has given so freely to others.

He is not fighting alone.

We go together.

#StandWithTroy

#VillageForTbone

#CoachBigDawg

#MrWilson

#TboneTheBarber

UPDATE 1 - thank you all so much for your generosity. Every donation means a lot.