Help Kevin Barrett battle Brain Cancer

On January 30th of 2023, our family heard the words that every family hopes they never hear. After suddenly falling ill a couple of weeks earlier, Kevin Barrett, a dad to three daughters and two stepchildren, papa to seven grandchildren, friend to many and loving husband to his wife, was diagnosed with stage four multifocal glioblastoma, a rare and extremely aggressive type of brain cancer. Though the prognosis for this cancer is devastating, Kevin remains positive, hopeful, and ready to be the outlier.

For all those that know him, his tenacious and positive attitude does not come as a surprise even as he’s about to embark on the most challenging journey of his life. Since suddenly falling ill, Kevin has already undergone several CT and MRI scans, EEG and ECG tests, as well as a brain surgery to dissect a biopsy of the tumours. He’s spent over two weeks in the hospital with his loving family and friends by his side. Kevin began chemotherapy and radiation on February 10th, which he will continue every day for three consecutive weeks in hopes of shrinking the brain tumours and eliminating the severe challenges he now faces on a daily basis, including confusion, memory loss and seizures.

Prior to his shocking and heartbreaking diagnosis, Kevin spent his days as a retired high-school music teacher of 25 years in Saskatoon doing the thing he loves most, writing songs. Over the years, Kevin has written and recorded 300 songs that he has dreams of sharing internationally. While he undergoes his vigorous treatment, Kevin will find strength in envisioning getting back on stage to perform his music and share his incredible talent with the world, which he’s no stranger to given that he once was the opening act for Bryan Adams in the 90s! Just a month prior to experiencing symptoms, Kevin was in Toronto meeting with music producers to discuss his future plans for his songs. A few of his songs can be found here.

As a family, we are following in our dad, papa and husband’s footsteps by embarking on this journey with hope, perseverance and positivity. We ask you to do the same and please help us eliminate the financial barriers that we’ll encounter while we do everything possible to battle one of the fastest-growing cancers, bring Kevin’s health back and allow him to return to enjoying his lifelong passion of making music.

Funds raised will be used for:

- The support from a cancer coach who will be able to guide us through these uncharted territories and connect us with global treatments to fight multifocal glioblastoma specifically.

- Alternative treatments such as naturopath medicine.

- Financial support for Kevin’s family who must take time off work to provide 24/7 care and support due to the severity of glioblastoma symptoms.

- Travel and accommodation costs for family members who live out of province.

- Post-treatment support (including specific medical rentals for Kevin’s comfort and care)

From the bottom of our family’s hearts, we thank you for your support during the most difficult time of our lives. As Tom Petty (one of Kevin’s favourite musicians) once put it, “You could stand me up at the gates of Hell, but I won’t back down”. So…as scary as this journey may be, Kevin is not backing down and neither are we.

With love, gratitude and hope,

Jackie (wife), Jessica and Paul (daughter & son-in-law), Amy and Brady (daughter & son-in-law), Jayne and Scott (daughter & son-in-law), Josiah and Chad (stepdaughter & stepson-in-law), Giuseppe (stepson), Arri (granddaughter), Cooper (grandson), Olivia (granddaughter), Luke (grandson), Zya (granddaughter), Billie (granddaughter) and Dottie (granddaughter).