DIGBY, NS- Jordan Morgan is overwhelmed by the support he’s received from around the province.
“It’s been continuously surprising what everyone’s done for me,” he said.
The Digby Dad has been battling an undifferentiated cell sarcoma, a rare form of cancer for four years.
Morgan, friends and complete strangers began fundraising after finding out the treatment for his disease wasn’t covered by medical care.
He continuously contacted the drug supplier and asked his MLA for help.
Last month Morgan received news that the drug would now be covered by the supplier Eli Lilly, under their compassionate care program.
“I’m convinced that it was the support from the whole province and my MLA that got the drug program on board to help.”
Through his battle with cancer and the shock of thinking he would have to pay $15,000 per dose of Lartruvo, the cancer treatment drug, for a total price tag of $130,000, Morgan has tried to stay positive, he said.
“Staying positive and setting goals felt way better than just giving up.”
Since fundraising has gotten underway on his behalf and he also started receiving donations, he has received close to $60,000, mostly from strangers.
“Just knowing I have all this support makes me want to inspire others to not give up.”
Although the drug is now covered, after having 10 surgeries in the last few years, Morgan is still swarmed with unanticipated costs of living, travel expenses and accommodation costs.
The donations keep rolling in:
Recardo’s Pizza and Donair in Digby recently held a fundraiser in honor of Morgan. For the month of February, they donated $5 from every large and extra-large pizza bought in the store.
Co-owner Evelyn Zakhour has known Morgan for years and didn’t hesitate at the chance to help him out, she said.
“It’s a beautiful feeling knowing we could help. It makes me happy and it makes him happy.”
Recardo’s raised $2,025 for Morgan and presented him with a cheque on March 13.
Zakhour loves giving back to the community because everyone in Digby has always been so welcoming to her family, she said.
“What goes around comes around right? I know that if my family ever needed help they would help us out, so I’m happy to give what we can.”
Zakhour wanted to thank the staff at Recardo’s Pizza and Donair. As well, the customers who came in and helped support the fundraiser.
“We couldn’t have done it without them,” she added.
