Gavin Hilman's Cancer Fight
Donation protected
Gavin Hilman is an 11-year-old boy with a great big heart. He loves Jesus, cheering on his two younger brothers, playing with lego and learning about dinosaurs and sharks. On Aug. 26, 2020, he was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor — stage four tumours across his abdominal cavity, including his liver and spleen, and several in his chest cavity. Gavin began aggressive series of chemotherapy in August 2020 and completed his last session in May 2021.
This GoFundMe campaign was launched by me, Gavin's auntie (Ashley Naud), shortly after his diagnosis. The nature of this kind of cancer is likened to a monster — it's aggressive and has a devastatingly low survival rate. We didn't know what the future would look like for their family, Gavin, his parents Neil and Amanda and two younger brothers, eight-year-old Hunter and four-year-old Wyatt. We knew it would be difficult to say the least, so removing any added stress posed by financial demands became a top priority. Tough economic times had already impacted their family business. Meanwhile, Gavin's treatment schedule was very demanding and extra hospital stays in response to his weak immune system took place at a moment's notice. We asked for support and you showed up, raising $50,000 in nine months. We can never express enough gratitude for the messages, prayers and generosity of family, friends and complete strangers that helped carry the Hilman family through this past year. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
WHY THE GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN CONTINUES ...
After a long and incredibly challenging year navigating chemo, blood transfusions and some of the harsh side effects that can come with this kind of treatment, things looked hopeful. Gavin's tumours had shrunk quite significantly and surgeons felt removing the tumours was possible. With this cancer, every little bit must be removed or it will return with a vengeance. After only a few hours into what was scheduled to be a 12+ hour surgery, Gavin's expert team of surgeons realized there were more tumours than what had been identified on the CT and MRI scans and they would be unable to successfully remove them all. Surgery was ended early. At this point in time, we have run out of treatment options. Cancer treatment for children is the same all around the world, so if something new came up, we would know about it. Doctors can't guarantee a timeline, but they estimate Gavin has 3 - 6 months left with us. ... It's hard to even believe I have to write that or that it's even true. It shouldn't be true. We are completely devastated, gutted. But we still have a great hope in God and, as hard as it is on many days, we trust Him and his plan for our warrior boy.
So we ask you to join us in prayer for healing and for monetary donations to help the Hilman family create beautiful memories together while we still have our Warrior with us on this side of heaven.
This GoFundMe campaign was launched by me, Gavin's auntie (Ashley Naud), shortly after his diagnosis. The nature of this kind of cancer is likened to a monster — it's aggressive and has a devastatingly low survival rate. We didn't know what the future would look like for their family, Gavin, his parents Neil and Amanda and two younger brothers, eight-year-old Hunter and four-year-old Wyatt. We knew it would be difficult to say the least, so removing any added stress posed by financial demands became a top priority. Tough economic times had already impacted their family business. Meanwhile, Gavin's treatment schedule was very demanding and extra hospital stays in response to his weak immune system took place at a moment's notice. We asked for support and you showed up, raising $50,000 in nine months. We can never express enough gratitude for the messages, prayers and generosity of family, friends and complete strangers that helped carry the Hilman family through this past year. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
WHY THE GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN CONTINUES ...
After a long and incredibly challenging year navigating chemo, blood transfusions and some of the harsh side effects that can come with this kind of treatment, things looked hopeful. Gavin's tumours had shrunk quite significantly and surgeons felt removing the tumours was possible. With this cancer, every little bit must be removed or it will return with a vengeance. After only a few hours into what was scheduled to be a 12+ hour surgery, Gavin's expert team of surgeons realized there were more tumours than what had been identified on the CT and MRI scans and they would be unable to successfully remove them all. Surgery was ended early. At this point in time, we have run out of treatment options. Cancer treatment for children is the same all around the world, so if something new came up, we would know about it. Doctors can't guarantee a timeline, but they estimate Gavin has 3 - 6 months left with us. ... It's hard to even believe I have to write that or that it's even true. It shouldn't be true. We are completely devastated, gutted. But we still have a great hope in God and, as hard as it is on many days, we trust Him and his plan for our warrior boy.
So we ask you to join us in prayer for healing and for monetary donations to help the Hilman family create beautiful memories together while we still have our Warrior with us on this side of heaven.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ashley Marie
Organizer
Calgary, AB
Amanda Hilman
Beneficiary