It’s a hard story to comprehend: a loving father and husband loses his wife to cancer, only to find out soon after that his 16-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
At this point in the conversation, many would want to tune out and switch to a lighter topic.
But for David Hutchinson, this is no story; this is his life for the past four years.
Since receiving news that the eldest of his two daughters, Beth, was fighting for her life, the father has spent countless hours scouring the Internet, books and other resources to find a way to help her.
“Conventional medicine, for Beth, has drawn a blank. There is no cure they can offer her at the hospital,” Hutchinson, 52, said. “So we began to look outside of conventional medicine.”
During his search, Hutchinson came across Dr. Gurdev Parmar of Fort Langley’s Integrated Health clinic, which offers loco-regional hyperthermia treatment. The promising therapy seemed like the next step for Beth, now 20.
Unfortunately, the hefty price tag could not come at a worse time for Hutchinson, who had lost his job earlier in the year, limiting his financial resources.
When the South Surrey man’s friend, Eileen Spencer, heard about his plight, she decided to get involved.
“I heard that he was almost in the position of having to say no because he didn’t know where the money was going to come from. So, I said, let’s go out and do this. Let’s fundraise and see what we can do,” Spencer said.
Spencer knows firsthand the results that can come from Parmar’s treatment. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year at age 68, Hutchinson had informed her of the alternative treatment.
At the time she went in, Spencer had an 80 per cent ‘tumour load’ in her liver, after the cancer had metastasized. Following two sessions, the number reduced significantly, to 20 per cent.
The alternative treatment uses heat to damage or kill cancer cells, or can make the cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation and chemotherapy, Spencer explained.
“They have had quite a bit of success in helping people live much longer,” she said.
Since taking on the task of fundraising, Spencer has organized a pub night slated for April 6 at Sawbucks Pub, 1626 152 St.
Tickets to the event, which kicks off at 6 p.m., include dinner and a drink.
Spencer noted there will be a 50/50 draw and a silent auction during the evening.
She has also set up an account in Beth’s name at Coast Capital Savings in Ocean Park (account number 110000290981), and in May is organizing a cruise and art auction with Chris Boycott – owner of Magic Yacht Charters which runs out of the Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina in Vancouver – who is a friend of David’s and who donated a yacht for the cause.
“David and I thought it would be good to put the art auction we had been planning together with the cruise,” Spencer said, noting several prominent artists – including Zoe Sava, who teaches in White Rock – have donated their art for the event.
“Many followed suit after Zoe offered to help. It was like a snowball effect. And this is really phenomenal art, I would be proud to have their work in my home,” Spencer said.
“It’s great to see there are good people out there who are ready to help.”
For tickets to the pub night ($20) and cruise ($50), phone Spencer at 604-542-2299 or email eileenspencer@shaw.ca