Gary Dillon QEII Treatment
Spende geschützt
Hi everyone,
I am currently raising money for travel costs for Gary Dillon’s family, Karen, Elsie, Troy, Shauna and myself to be present with him while he deals with a serious illness at the QEII Health Sciences Center in Halifax. Gary, Elsie, Troy and Karen reside in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality while Shauna and I reside in Moncton . Gary will be in Halifax for an undetermined period and we want to spend as much time with him during this difficult period.
Gary has been an active community member for over 40 years. Gary was a deacon at the Glace Bay Baptist Church for over 30 years. In the mid-nineties, after retirement, Gary chose to continue to give to his community by returning the school and becoming a pastor of the church. He continued to be the pastor until 2017 when, due to illness, could no longer shoulder the heavy load of visitation, community meetings and sermon preparation. This was a very difficult decision for him as he has always been about giving back.
In the early years, Gary was always about helping others. You could often find Gary in the Homestead Camp with other community leaders preparing the camp for summer allowing children from across the province to use throughout the summer months. He was active across the island participating in any necessary activities to grow the community. You could often see Gary assisting anyone who needed help in the community from simply offering drives, helping people learn about home finances, providing a warm meal, fixing anything (he is a jack of all trades), or just providing ear to allow people to share their burdens.
Over the last several years, Gary has had a difficult time. He received a diagnosis of kidney failure in the early 2000s. However, he refused to allow this to stop him. Rather than accept hemodialysis, he chose paranetal dialysis; a form of dialysis that can be done at home allowing more freedom than hemodialysis. However, this is typically temporary, lasting only a few years. Additionally, he has had cancer twice and both times successfully beating it. However, several weeks ago, he damaged his toe. The toe would not heal. This was determined this was a lack of blood getting to the leg. He has several blockages in his leg. This has been spiralling. He now has cellulitis in his leg. He has the potential to lose a toe or toes, a foot or possibly a leg. He will be having a procedure to open numerous blood vessels in his legs. Once circulation is restored (if possible), the doctors will determine what is needed. The timeframe for this to be completed is unknown. What started as a simple trip to Halifax is now turning into a possible multi-week timeframe to return.
We are seeking funds to allow us to stay by Gary’s side, the same that he has done for so many people in the Cape Breton area. As many may know, the costs for family to stay away from home can climb quickly. The cost of travel, lodging and food become a quick burden. Additionally, Elsie, Gary wife is unable to be in the area by herself. She is not familiar which such a large city and becomes easily disoriented. She even has trouble finding the room in the hospital. One of the children must be present always.
In his time of need, we want to be present to continue to provide support for both Gary and Elsie during this difficult time.
I am currently raising money for travel costs for Gary Dillon’s family, Karen, Elsie, Troy, Shauna and myself to be present with him while he deals with a serious illness at the QEII Health Sciences Center in Halifax. Gary, Elsie, Troy and Karen reside in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality while Shauna and I reside in Moncton . Gary will be in Halifax for an undetermined period and we want to spend as much time with him during this difficult period.
Gary has been an active community member for over 40 years. Gary was a deacon at the Glace Bay Baptist Church for over 30 years. In the mid-nineties, after retirement, Gary chose to continue to give to his community by returning the school and becoming a pastor of the church. He continued to be the pastor until 2017 when, due to illness, could no longer shoulder the heavy load of visitation, community meetings and sermon preparation. This was a very difficult decision for him as he has always been about giving back.
In the early years, Gary was always about helping others. You could often find Gary in the Homestead Camp with other community leaders preparing the camp for summer allowing children from across the province to use throughout the summer months. He was active across the island participating in any necessary activities to grow the community. You could often see Gary assisting anyone who needed help in the community from simply offering drives, helping people learn about home finances, providing a warm meal, fixing anything (he is a jack of all trades), or just providing ear to allow people to share their burdens.
Over the last several years, Gary has had a difficult time. He received a diagnosis of kidney failure in the early 2000s. However, he refused to allow this to stop him. Rather than accept hemodialysis, he chose paranetal dialysis; a form of dialysis that can be done at home allowing more freedom than hemodialysis. However, this is typically temporary, lasting only a few years. Additionally, he has had cancer twice and both times successfully beating it. However, several weeks ago, he damaged his toe. The toe would not heal. This was determined this was a lack of blood getting to the leg. He has several blockages in his leg. This has been spiralling. He now has cellulitis in his leg. He has the potential to lose a toe or toes, a foot or possibly a leg. He will be having a procedure to open numerous blood vessels in his legs. Once circulation is restored (if possible), the doctors will determine what is needed. The timeframe for this to be completed is unknown. What started as a simple trip to Halifax is now turning into a possible multi-week timeframe to return.
We are seeking funds to allow us to stay by Gary’s side, the same that he has done for so many people in the Cape Breton area. As many may know, the costs for family to stay away from home can climb quickly. The cost of travel, lodging and food become a quick burden. Additionally, Elsie, Gary wife is unable to be in the area by herself. She is not familiar which such a large city and becomes easily disoriented. She even has trouble finding the room in the hospital. One of the children must be present always.
In his time of need, we want to be present to continue to provide support for both Gary and Elsie during this difficult time.
Organisator
John Dillon
Organisator
Glace Bay, NS