Dear Editor,
John Dykstra, a long time resident of Barrhead, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Synovial Sarcoma, which is a rare form of Soft Tissue Cancer. John and his family have moved to Waco, Texas four years ago to start their own business venture there. This spring, he found about his cancer. He was experiencing a lot of pain in his back and after going to the doctor a tumour was found in one of his kidneys. They immediately operated and removed the one kidney and a very large tumour, but the cancer had already begun spreading. Since that time John has gone through two cycles of chemotherapy treatments. Both times these treatments proved to do nothing against the cancer. The lesions continue to grow. John is currently undergoing radiation treatment but the doctors have told him that there is nothing more they can do for him. There is one more type of chemotherapy treatment he can receive, but it is such a harsh treatment that the doctors say that it would kill his one kidney that he has left. This would mean that he would need dialysis or a kidney transplant. As a result of all this we have been looking into alternative cancer treatments for John. They do think that they can help John, but of course there is a price tag. The cost for alternative treatment will be around $30,000 US.
As you can well imagine, with them living in the U.S., they do not have the best health care and John is already being financially stressed with just going to the doctor and so our reason for this letter. We have set up a bank account at the Scotiabank in Barrhead for donations to help cover the costs for treatments for John. Donations can be dropped off at Grizzly Trail Motors, Junior Rufus/Sunshadow or with Kathleen Hiemstra at the Scotiabank in Barrhead. Any donation would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Janna Devink
Wilma Hiemstra
