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GoFundMe for Coquitlam family dealing with dad's cancer, son's medical challenges

It has been a difficult holiday season for the Cockrell family. The Coquitlam residents received news that Allistair Cockrell, a father of two, has Stage 4 colon cancer and would have to begin chemotherapy on Christmas Eve.
Allistair Cockrell, a Coquitlam father of two, begins his second round of chemotherapy this week.

It has been a difficult holiday season for the Cockrell family.

The Coquitlam residents received news that Allistair Cockrell, a father of two, has Stage 4 colon cancer and would have to begin chemotherapy on Christmas Eve. Doctors hope they can shrink the tumor to a size that would make the 39-year-old eligible for hyperthermic intraperitonal chemotherapy (HIPEC), a surgical procedure that could remove the disease.

"The goal is for him to be able to have a HIPEC surgery," said Tracy Lowe, Cockrell's sister-in-law. "Basically, the chemo has to shrink the cancer before he is going to be eligible for that. We have to see the effect the chemo is going to have."

Further complicating his recovery is the fact that his son, five-year-old Ashton, suffers from a rare disease called Rubinstein Taybi syndrome, which can cause developmental issues. The various treatments and therapies for both father and son have taxed the family financially, said Lowe, who has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money.

A friend of the Cockrells who runs JRV Design has also created a T-shirt that is for sale online, with the proceeds going to help out the family.

"Thank you to all who are praying, donating and helping in their own special ways," said Cockrell in a message on the GoFundMe page. "The journey will be long, the journey will be intense and it ain't going to be pretty, but I promise you my gloves are off and I am ready to beat this thing. My fuel right now is my wife, two boys and amazing family and friends from all over the world."

As of Friday, more than $30,000 had been raised towards a goal of $39,000.