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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 10, 2014 | 14 Community fundraising helps make wedding day a reality by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff As Bryce Smith's wedding day approached, his mother, Lyn, said it had redefined bittersweet for her family. Since November 2013, Lyn and her husband Jim Smith have been pleading with the Ontario government to fund the cancer drug Avastin, which they believe could improve their son's quality of life and slow the growth of his brain tumour. Health Canada has approved Avastin for the treatment of brain cancer. However, Ontario only covers the cost of the drug for treatment of colorectal cancer -- a funding decision made by the province's drug evaluation committee. Since Avastin isn't covered by Bryce's private insurance either, the 37-year-old, his wife Carla, and their families have taken to fundraising to cover the $5,600 cost of the drug, needed every three weeks. To date, he has had 16 treatments of the drug. "As we prepared for Bryce and Carla's wedding, we thought that he would not be as well as he is if it weren't for Carla and Bryce Smith on their wedding day Sept. 6 at Oakville's St. Matthew Catholic Church. | submitted photo all the support he has received to fund treatment," said Lyn. "At the same time, we can't help but think how it might have been if he were not ill." Bryce and Carla were engaged in July 2007 and shortly after bought their first home together. Unfortunately, barely two years later, Bryce was diagnosed with a brain tumour and the wedding was postponed. After his cancer treatments -- including Avastin -- Bryce became well enough that the Oakville couple was able to wed on Sept. 6 at St. Matthew Catholic Church during an intimate ceremony and reception of 90 guests in the church hall. "Thanks to the enormous generosity of family and friends New location as of Friday October 10 4325 harvester vester Road, Unit 1, Burlington, ON Garbage bag special 30"x38" black $14.25/cs/100ea 35"x50" black $14.75/cs/50ea who donated their time and support, we were able to finally have our wedding," said Carla. "After these many difficult years, we were gifted with the opportunity to celebrate our love and commitment and to share it with our loved ones. "It was the most beautiful day of my life and I am so grateful to everyone who helped make it possible. I will forever remember how happy I was the day I married my best friend." Among the guests were Oakville MPP and Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, who has become a supporter of the call for provincial funding of Avastin, and Bryce's oncologist Dr. Hal Hirte, in addition to extended family members who flew in from Florida to attend. "The receiving line lasted one hour," noted Lyn. Carla admits the wedding could not have occurred had Bryce's health deteriorated any further. "There is no doubt that without the donations from the community to Bryce's Avastin fund, Bryce would not be here with us today. That being said, it is with a humble heart that I wish to thank the community for their support," Carla said. "So many complete strangers have donated to Bryce's Avastin Fund. I am completely in awe of the compassion that these people show for someone they don't even know. I feel blessed to have such an abundance of love surrounding us." Bryce had another MRI on Sept. 8, which showed the tumour to be stable, but there was continued swelling in the brain as a result of the tumour's existence, said Lyn. "The Avastin is keeping this controlled but he (Bryce's doctor) wants to add a mild dose of steroid to see if this will diminish the swelling more quickly as it is causing other mobility and focus problems," she explained, noting Bryce is in a wheelchair. "Without Avastin, he (the doctor) says the swelling would be significantly worse within several weeks." Funding has been depleted for Bryce's next Avastin treatment and Lyn is once again turning to the community. She has become the administrator of her son's Gofundme account, found online at www.gofundme. com/4xvrb0. A trust account, Bryce Smith's Avastin Fund, has also been set up at the Bank of Montreal. The transit number is 37152 and the account number is 3988-995. Lyn says one of the provincial government's issues with approving Avastin is the lack of proof of sustainability of life. "As of October, Bryce has been diagnosed for five years and has been on Avastin in conjunction with a chemo(therapy) drug for one year," she said. "That to me is sustainability of life." Tel: 905-637-8428 October 14-30, 2014 RecycleDrive CONCRETE Recycle your car, boat and home batteries, oil and old tires for FREE!* The RecycleDrive location that collects the most tires will win a $20,000 re-greening package to donate to a local school or play space of its choice.** VISIT Eastside Auto ExposEd aggrEgatE (pebble) 573 Chartwell Rd., Oakville 905-844-9641 · DRIVEWAYS · FRENCH CURBS · PATIOS · STEPS · WALKWAYS · GARAGE FLOORS Free yard-waste bags for the first 50 participants per location! For program details and participating locations, visit caasco.com/recycledrive uality At Its Best! Call Fernando FREE ESTIMATES 905-844-5518 1-888-944-5518 www.concretetrimmings.com www *The CAA RecycleDrive event begins at 12:00 a.m. October 14, 2014 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on October 30, 2014 ("Event Period"). Visit www.caasco.com/recycledrive for RecycleDrive location hours of operation. CAA South Central Ontario reserves the right to refuse oil deemed unacceptable. Oil that is potentially contaminated, mixed or used in farm equipment will not be accepted. CAA operates RecycleDrive as a non-profit public service. Ontario residents can recycle up to four (4) used tires any time during the year. A nominal fee applies to recycle oil and batteries outside of RecycleDrive Event Period. **Only participating CAA Approved Automotive Repair Services facilities are eligible to win the re-greening package. The re-greening package consists of recycled rubber products valued at $10,000.00 CDN and assorted greenery valued at $10,000.00 CDN. ® CAA and CAA logo trademarks are owned by, and use is granted by, the Canadian Automobile Association. (0966-10/14)