Church Hosts Fundraiser For Terminal Cancer Patient
Posted
Jen Gibson-jgibson@timesuniononline.com
NORTH MANCHESTER - Life can change in a matter of seconds.
On Aug. 26, 2009, Toby Shepherd went to work at Maple Leaf Farms, Milford, as usual. What happened that day was anything but run of the mill.
While working, Shepherd had a seizure and was taken to the hospital where he was told he had a brain tumor. After several tests, doctors confirmed that the tumor was cancer, and it was in stage 4, which is terminal.
Shepherd, 38, had surgery, endured six weeks of radiation and then started chemotherapy. Until recently Shepherd was still taking chemotherapy treatments in pill form.
However, Shepherd's condition recently took a turn for the worse, and he is now unable to walk. Since he is no longer able to exercise, his doctor is afraid he will develop blood clots from the medication so Shepherd is no longer taking the chemotherapy pills. Without the medication, doctors have given him about four months to live.
Friday, members of Sweetwater Assembly of God and First Brethren Church, both in North Manchester, will hold a fundraiser for Shepherd and his family. The churches are joining together to host a spaghetti dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at First Brethren Church, 407 N. Sycamore St., North Manchester.
The cost of the dinner is a freewill donation, and all money raised will be used to help pay Shepherd's mounting medical expenses.
Shepherd plans to be at the fundraiser Friday, and his family will help bring him to the benefit in a wheelchair since he is unable to walk.
A lifetime North Manchester resident, Shepherd has two sons, Bryce, 12, and Trevor, 11. He has been active sports in the community and has coached baseball in leagues.
For more information about making a donation, contact First Brethren Church at 260-982-6457 or Sweetwater Assembly of God at 260-982-6179.
