Supporting William "Bill" Slater's Cancer Fight

Awful things happen and hard times or serious illness befall people every day, but you never expect it to hit so close to home or for it to happen to your family.

For the last six decades our Dad’s been “as healthy as a horse” and has had very little sickness beyond the common cold or a nasty stomach bug, but Dad’s last twelve months have brought some gradually concerning health challenges.

A year ago, Dad experienced two painful UTI’s and was seen by a physician and treated, but not much of a thought was given to other potential issues as a UTI is a pretty common and a short-lived condition. Months later he would find himself experiencing excruciating abdominal pain, bleeding, and an inability to use the bathroom, which resulted in an emergency procedure and hospital stay to fix whatever was causing him issues. Through further investigation a lesion was found on his bladder that was likely the cause of his recent problems, and diagnostics and removal surgery was scheduled. Dad maintained a positive and confident outlook and was ready to soldier through this procedure, to remove the tissue, and finally put this whole ordeal to rest.

Earlier this month, during the procedure to remove the lesion from his bladder, it was determined that due to the size and scope of the lesion, that isolated removal of it would not be possible. After his procedure was finished his Urologist reported that this lesion was in fact cancerous and that the whole bladder would have to be removed to ensure all cancer cells in the affected tissue is taken out to prevent spreading.

Our Dad has never been the one to ask for help and over the years he is often found as the one GIVING and offering help to others. Between coaching or refereeing adult and children sports in our community or leading the charge for better public safety of our men, women, and children, he has always done his best to make a positive impact in the lives of people around him.

For the last 30 years, Dad has been a huge proponent for firearms safety, education, situational awareness, and empowering the public to protect themselves carefully, logically, and lawfully when dangerous situations arise. On top of working with the public he is also very intensely involved with training our Law Enforcement Officers, Military, Security Personnel, and Educators to develop top notch tactical experience for protecting and serving our communities in their own respective roles.

As a person who constantly gives whole heartedly to those all around him without expecting anything in return, for him to ask for any kind of help is a HUGE thing and not one that he does easily. Given his clear bill of health over the years and no indications of issues during his annual check-ups he still had, he has not carried health insurance and any procedures or medications that he will need will all be out of pocket. Also, given the clear plan for bladder removal, it is likely that Dad will be unable to work in his small business for 2-3 months and,--with that--he will lose almost all his income for that time.

As his children, we also are not usually ones to ask for help in times of need either, but we’re becoming increasingly more aware now that we can’t do this alone and that it is important to be willing to accept help.

I am hoping that we as a family and community, can rally around our dad and raise some money for use in covering costs for travel, procedures, mounting medical bills, daily living costs, missed pay while out of work, and foods and medicines that he will need as he kicks cancer’s ass. Anything that you might be able to give will be most gratefully appreciated and our thanks would never feel enough.