A heartfelt thank you to Haying in the 30's
Three years ago my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. The doctors told us they could remove the tumour and we thought our lives would return to normal. After the surgery, we were told the tumour had spread up the lymph nodes and they had to take the entire lung. But we still thought they had got it all. We were wrong.
Months later a scan was done and we learned he had cancer in his pancreas. He was told his pancreas had to be removed. Prior to surgery, the surgeon ordered another CT scan of the pancreas. At that time they found something on his spine. A bone scan was ordered. Results from the scan showed the cancer had spread to his bones.
We were devastated. He was referred to the Cross Cancer Institute. He underwent a type of radiation. A scan after the first treatment showed his cancer had spread from the pancreas to the liver. He has since been to the Cross numerous times, too many to count, for various types of treatments, none of which have made much of a difference.
Last summer we received an envelope in the mail with a cheque inside and a letter from Haying in the 30's. The letter supplied information about the organization and indicated that the funds were to help with costs associated with trips to the doctor (gas, parking, meals). We were surprised, and so touched by the kindness of strangers. I immediately went on the computer and searched out the website for Haying in the 30's and read up on this organization. A group of volunteers from Mallaig (a town northwest of Edmonton) get together and provide a fun, free weekend of what life was like on the farm in the 1930's. One hundred per cent of money donated during the weekend goes to cancer victims.
We hope to attend this year's events from July 31 to Aug. 1 to support other families facing the same challenges we continue to face every day and to personally thank the kind people that have worked so hard to make this event happen every year.
For more information, please visit their website at http://www.hayinginthe30s.org
Dawn-Carla Irwin, St. Albert
