Let's help Stape kick cancer's arse

Our good pal Dave Stapleton (Stape) has been diagnosed with glioblastoma,
a very aggressive form of brain cancer. He's only 43 years old and has a
beautiful family. Dave plans on overcoming the odds and if anyone can, it's
this guy. His plan is to move back to NL from Calgary and secure his family
here while he fights the good fight. Any and all help is welcomed and
appreciated.
Dave grew up in St. John’s and from his youngest days demonstrated his
caring nature, putting the interests of others before his own. He always had
a fondness for young children and proved to be a wonderful babysitter. That
caring nature continued through his late teens and early twenties when he
would often bring home people his own age who needed food and shelter
and comfort.
Dave moved with his parents to Fredericton where he lived and worked for a
few years before heading west to make his fortune in the oil patch. In his
mid-twenties he settled in Calgary and established his own small landscaping
and contracting business.
It was in Calgary where he met his wife and began his dream of having
children of his own. Between 2006 and 2011 they had three boys, now aged
12, 11 and 8. Dave worked very hard to grow his business but with the
volatility of the Alberta economy it was a constant struggle. Notwithstanding
the challenges, Dave managed to provide for his family’s needs and he
continued to reach out to the less fortunate. He would regularly prepare hot
meals and would deliver them to dozens of homeless people on the streets
of Calgary. In the same vein he would employ people who needed work even
if they were not the most qualified. He mentored and helped people put their
lives back together. If you were a person in need, Dave was there to help.
Dave is now facing the most serious challenge of his life. On April 10 th , after
experiencing some balance issues on his worksite, Dave was admitted to
hospital and on April 11 th he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme
(GBM) brain tumor, later confirmed to be a category 4, the most aggressive
form of brain cancer. On April 29 th he underwent surgery to remove the
tumor but it was only partially successful because of the proximity to healthy
brain cells which control vital bodily and sensory functions. He is scheduled
to undergo a series of chemo and radiation treatments in the coming
months.

Being a self-employed small entrepreneur, in a single income family, the day
Dave was admitted to hospital, was the day the family’s income stopped.
With no health or medical benefits, no disability benefits, no employment
insurance benefits, and little savings, his family is facing overwhelming
challenges.
Dave’s lifelong positive attitude and self-deprecating humor (see his
Facebook page) has gotten him through many difficult situations. He
continues to be positive and determined to beat the odds. He is courageous
and an inspiration to us all.
His primary concern is for his family’s future. His goal is to relocate his
family to St. John’s in time to have his children enrolled in school in
September. Fortunately, in Newfoundland there is a network of family and
friends to help support Dave and his family. Dave’s Alberta friends have also
rallied around and are providing much needed support.
We are asking you to join the effort to help Dave achieve his goal.