Help Marc Fight Rare Cancer

Hi, my name is Ashleigh, and I am fundraising to raise money for our Dad’s out-of-country cancer treatment. Our family was rocked recently by devastating news about my Dad, Marc’s health. Following surgery to remove one of his adrenal glands due to the presence of what was thought to be a benign (noncancerous) tumour, Dad’s medical team discovered our worst fear: the tumour was malignant (cancerous). Dad was then diagnosed with a rare and often aggressive cancer called Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC for short). ACC is an endocrine cancer, and is so rare that less than 300 Canadians are diagnosed with this cancer every year. In addition, Dad’s cancer was diagnosed at an “advanced stage,” which meant the cancer has spread to other parts of his body. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, only 7% of those diagnosed with ACC are expected to live for 5 years following their diagnosis.

For those who don’t know Marc, he is a quiet man, and he is one of the most driven, passionate, and determined (if not stubborn at times) people you will meet. He owns and operates a local business in our city of Campbell River: a restaurant called Quay West (more commonly known by the locals as the “old Beehive restaurant”). This restaurant has allowed our Dad his dream of sharing his food with and employing members of our community for over 12 years.

Dad has made it clear that he wants to fight this horrible disease no matter what it takes. He has gone through countless tests and scans, and has even participated as a volunteer in a UBC-run study: known as a “POG Study” which could result in key evidence for guiding future treatments for patients experiencing other rare cancers. Unfortunately, given that ACC is such a rare diagnosis, Canadian medicine is currently limited in the information available for successful treatment options for this cancer.

Despite limited information in Canada, we were incredibly lucky to be educated by a wonderful friend about a cancer treatment centre called the Williams Cancer Institute in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. This institute is headed by Dr. Jason Williams, an American doctor who has been successfully treating cancers such as ACC using Cryoablation and Intratumoral Immunotherapy. This type of therapy involves treatment of tumours directly using injections guided by CT imaging. The friend who informed us about this institute was a patient of Dr. Williams; they had their cancer treated successfully at the Williams Cancer Institute and is now enjoying life cancer-free.

Our dad has already received 3 successful rounds of treatment from this institute in Mexico, and today Dr. Williams told us that the treatments are starting to work! Dad’s body is accepting treatment, his tumours are responding and he is feeling good. Dr. Williams and his team anticipate he could need just one more treatment at the institute, and then eventually begin living a cancer-free life.

To everyone who has read this far, thank you. This is why we are asking for help. The cost of each trip to San Jose del Cabo for one of these treatments, including hospital/hotel stays, food and the treatment itself, is approximately $70-75,000 CAD. My parents have managed the costs of each trip thus far (approximately $225,000 CAD), but now they need help. This treatment option is not approved in Canada, and given how well it is working for our Dad already, we don’t want to give up when he could be so close to beating this horrible disease.

Any donations will go directly toward the cost of Dad’s treatments at the Williams Cancer Institute. We greatly appreciate any help, whether it be monetary or sharing it on to your friends and family. Thank you for helping us help our dad beat cancer!

Thank you all for reading, and for your support and well wishes. Love, Ashleigh, Nick, Alex, Mackenzie, and Tracy.