Please take a moment to read and familiarize yourself with what one of our Truck Zone Lloydminster Team Member is currently going through as his 12 year old son was recently diagnosed with Cancer. This was written by Jason Larsen in a fathers perspective, who also shared a few pictures. If you know Jay personally, you know that his kids and family are his world and his everything.
I say to you all that we are more like a work family than work colleagues and we have an opportunity to provide some extra support to someone within our TZ family that really needs us right now... My ask, if there is anything you can give, no matter what the denomination is - it will all help and go to the Larsen Family in an effort to help cover some of the incurred expenses. Also, from an individual branch perspective - we have done internal fundraisers in the past (ie. chili on a bun, auctions, etc) - if this is something that you would be interested in doing - let me know your idea and how we/TZ can assist.
From Jason:
William Larsen, born November 18, 2009
For a Dad, every thought and decision I have is based on and around my children.
With experiencing a few of our family members going through Cancer over the recent years, we knew that it was a terrible disease and was not something we thought we would have to prepare for in our immediate family - especially my son.
The last few years have been quite rough for us as a family and mid last year, things were starting to look up for us, work was busy and all of our kids were excited to be back in Lloydminster. We has an opportunity and did not want to may anymore rent so we decided to purchase our first house - with a large blended family, this was the welcomed new beginning we needed & we took possession in August 2021.
Things were really moving on the up and up and then in early November my boy William noticed a lump forming on his right leg under his knee.. fast forward to November 18th (also his 12th Birthday!!) the lump was very large and we finally got in for an x-ray and then an ultrasound in Lloydminster. After a quick consult with the Doctors they informed us that there was something that doesn't seem right and made arrangements for us to get a Specialist appointment at The Children's Stollery Hospital in Edmonton for tests and more tests
We made frequent trips to the Stollery in Edmonton December, all along trying to keep Christmas as upbeat and 'normal' as we can. Eventually a biopsy was performed and on December 29th we received the devastating news that is William in fact has Osteosarcoma Cancer! What a blow to our family - took the wind right out of our sails..
On December 30th Will had a IVAD (Implanted Venous Access Device - installed internally and is connected to the heart and main artery) installed and on December 31st, he received his first round of Chemo and it has been a whirlwind for us ever-since. We are in week 6 out of 29 right now with an operation booked at week 10, where it well be determined whether or not he will be able to keep his leg!? We are on an emotional rollercoaster and we are all doing our best to stay positive and optimistic as we can on this journey.
To say this has taken its toll on me and our family financially is an understatement, the mortgage, the bills, the groceries, and travel expenses are piling up quickly, all which have exhausted any savings that I did have tucked away. We are doing our best to work with our banks, insurance, utility companies and Canada Life benefits, trying to stay afloat but there is not much air is left in the bubble for breathing.
With being the primary care giver both at home and while he is at the Stollery, and with no family near by, I haven't been able to work back in the tank shop in fear I get sick, get covid or get hurt which I wouldn't be able to take by boy to his treatments nor be around him and I just can't risk that.
We will keep moving forward doing our best to be ready for whatever life has in store for us.
Thank you for reading.
Jason, William and Family.
