Evan McCune had a chance to see the activity at a fundraising event benefitting him Sunday despite being in hospital following a second set of chemotherapy treatments.
A friend set up a Skype link so he could see the activity in Ryders Square parking lot. There were lots of games for youngsters, a barbecue, dunk tank, silent auction and pizza.
The event was organized by Deanna Chmait, general manager of Domino’s and Quiznos after co-worker McCune was diagnosed with leukemia.
She said all her staff were eager to support “a dedicated and beloved employee”.
Besides the local efforts, about half a dozen Domino’s stores in Alberta also got involved, said McCune’s mother, Kathy. Stores in Rocky Mountain House, Ponoka, Whitecourt, Edson, Stettler, Morinville and Sylvan Lake donated $1 from each pizza sold on Friday to the cause and raised $1,500.
The barbecue raised $672 (with half going to Sylvan Lake & Area Community Partners Association which helped with the event) and personal donations tallied about $2,500, said Kathy McCune.
A silent auction is still running to the end of the month. Check the Facebook page, Team Evan, (https://www.facebook.com/groups/519823511420666/) to see what’s available or visit Quiznos where there will be information about the variety of gift certificates, baskets and products available for bid.
Kathy said Evan, 24, just completed a five-day, four-hour per day, regime of treatment on Saturday.
Now his medical team is searching the donor bank for a match so they can do a stem cell transplant. His sister wasn’t a match, Kathy said.
Evan was diagnosed in early July.
Kathy stressed people should read about leukemia and understand the symptoms. “If you have any signs go to your physician.” She said Evan’s only signs were bruising on his body. “I just figured it was anemia.” But doctors quickly knew there was a problem when they saw his blood cell count was way down.