Donations, prayers sought for cancer victim
Mary-Elleen McMahon is encouraging others to help her friend Patricia Shaw, because she knows how much the married mother of two has helped others.
After not experiencing any real noticeable signs or symptoms until the start of last month, Shaw was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Doctors discovered a tumour, but are unable to remove it because it is too close to her vital organs.
Shaw, 47, volunteers much of her time at St. John School on Park St., where she assists with the breakfast program, for example, and is on parent council. She also teaches Sunday school at nearby Grace United Church.
“She is one of those people who would give you the shirt off her back,” said McMahon, one of four people who created the GoFundMe page dubbed Patricia’s Financial Aid on March 23.
The page aims to assist the southend family, whose budget has been tightened by the fact that Shaw had to give up her job at Bennett’s Home Furnishings to focus on the costly endeavour of fighting the illness.
As of Thursday afternoon, some 31 people had donated $2,205 towards a $25,000 goal.
“Pat has a painful road ahead of her .... We appreciate all the help and support. For those that are unable to donate, your prayers are equally valuable,” organizers wrote.
Her two daughters with husband John, ages 10 and eight, both attend St. John.
Pointing out how the cancer is known as “the silent killer,” an emotional McMahon said Shaw just courageously went through a second round of chemotherapy.
A collapsed sewage pipe between her home and the road has been another source of stress for the family, she added, pointing out that fortunately, they eventually learned it won’t be up to them to cover the cost of completing the repair.
NOTE: To donate or for more information, visit https://www. gofundme.com/3j1bejc.