Brad MacKinnon of Ladysmith is normally an independent kind of guy.
Having a whole community step forward to assist his family has been a little overwhelming. But MacKinnon and wife Carrie couldn’t be more thankful for the support they’ve been receiving since his diagnosis with kidney cancer in December.
A small spray foam business owner, MacKinnon is undergoing radiation in Victoria at the B.C. Cancer Clinic.
MacKinnon, 43, discovered shortly after his initial diagnosis that cancer had spread to his brain and lungs.
Appointments, scans and treatments mean the couple has been very busy and needing to take time off work.
“If it wasn’t for Carrie coming to my appointments, I wouldn’t have known it had spread maybe for some time,” said MacKinnon, explaining that Carrie noticed his smile looked crooked and mentioned it to his doctor, who then probed for more scans.
Meanwhile, parents from 12-year-old son Erick’s hockey team, members of their family and Carrie’s co-workers have been involved in making money issues the least of the family’s worries.
“With me not working and with Carrie’s working intermittently, that’s been tough,” said MacKinnon, following a radiation appointment in Victoria.
They also have a 20-year-old daughter Miranda.
Carrie’s co-worker Nicole Lynch has been pounding the pavement getting people in every corner of the community to step up with a fundraiser set for this Saturday (April 13) at the Duncan Community Lodge.
“We’ve had a lot of donations coming in and people getting involved,” she said, noting M&M Meats is donating burgers and Island Bakery the buns.
“Cancer affects all of us, and I think that’s why people are so quick to jump on board,” Lynch said. “And we just want Carrie to be able to take the time needed off work.”
The fundraiser will feature a 50/50 draw, door prizes, penny collection, entertainment, cash bar, and a toonie raffle.
Burgers will be served hot off the grill at 5 p.m. and bidding for the toonie raffle takes place until 6:30 p.m. Bidders can buy a chance to win an auction item by purchasing a number for a toonie. The numbers are all put in a hat, and a winner is drawn.
“I just can’t believe the support from Carrie’s co-workers,” said MacKinnon. “I’m just completely dumbfounded.”
Tickets are $10 each for this Saturday’s event and being sold at the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial office in Duncan.
For more information, contact Nicole Lynch at 250-701-2842.
Donations of bottles and cans are also being accepted at the bottle depot in Duncan under the MacKinnon name.