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'I felt like I dodged a bullet ...'

Burnaby man survived same cancer that took Terry Fox

After surviving the same cancer Terry Fox had as a teen, this Sept. 18 will have new meaning for David Gasson, who not only volunteers for the run but participates in it to find the cure, too.

Gasson was just 15 years old when he was diagnosed with osteorsarcoma (bone cancer) in his left arm that he was able to beat after surgery and nine months of chemotherapy.

"This year is particularly meaningful for me," Gasson, 34, told the Burnaby NOW. "I had a daughter, she's five-and-a-half months old."

Due to the forms of treatment Gasson underwent 17 years ago, including another set of chemotherapy after beating an early form of lung cancer years later, it could have left him unable to have children.

"It conceivably could've made me infertile," the Burnaby resident said. "I had two courses of drugs, and the chances were 50/50 that I would be able to have kids."

"When my wife got pregnant, I felt like I dodged even more of a bullet."

The computer programmer was out on a canoe trip with his class when he was 15 and noticed his left arm was swelling up. Thinking it was sprained, Gasson went to the doctor to get it checked out.

"The doctor thought it was sprained, but my mother, who has a sixth sense about these things and is a nurse, wanted to go to the hospital and get it looked at," he said. "It turned out to be a hairline fracture that caused the swelling, but it was weakened because of the bone cancer."

"If I hadn't sustained the fracture I probably wouldn't have ever gotten it checked out."

Gasson underwent a 12-hour surgery to salvage his arm. His wrist bone was removed, as were both bones in his forearm because they were too far gone with cancer. A small bone was taken from his left lower leg and grafted into his arm so he would still be able to use his left hand and fingers.

"I don't have a wrist in my left arm and it's kind of funny looking, . but it has good mobility," he said. "It's really handy."

Gasson has volunteered for Burnaby's Terry Fox Run for the past three years, after being connected to its organizer by chance.

Another osteosarcoma cancer survivor in Burnaby's Terry Fox Run organizing committee is the run's organizer, Anna Solnickova.

"I met Gasson through our doctor because we had the same one," the Burnaby resident explained. "My doctor passed his name on to me."

Last year, there were 280 participants, 85 volunteers and more than $20,000 raised, according to Solnickova.

"We would've had more if it weren't for the torrential downpour," she noted. "We're expecting 300 this year if the weather's nice."

Since 1997, Burnaby has raised more than $185,000 for cancer research and the Terry Fox Foundation - adding to the organization's $500 million donated to find a cure.

"There is no minimum donation needed in order to participate in the Terry Fox Run," Solnickova said. "Donations are greatly appreciated, but completely voluntary."

For every one dollar raised, 85 cents goes towards cancer research.

"It's the most fiscally responsible foundation in the world," she added.

The Terry Fox Run is a family event for both Solnickova and the community, as her husband and other family members get involved.

"It's a really fun family event," she added. "Free refreshments are available after the run, and there will be a kids' arts and crafts station set up."

Solnickova said her husband will be site coordinator next year, as its current one, Barb Harris, will be stepping down after years of dedication.

"She is such a devoted and exceptional volunteer and will be stepping back next year from her site coordinator duties," Solnickova said. "We usually set up as early as 6: 30 a.m. on run day, and after months of hard work, planning and organizing, run day climaxes into a wonderful event for a wonderful cause, but we are all exhausted by the early afternoon."

Solnickova said another excellent volunteer and cancer survivor had the same form of osteosarcoma as her and Gasson.

"She had to have her leg amputated as a result of bone cancer," Solnickova said of fellow Burnaby resident, Kayla Cox.

For more information or to donate, visit www.terryfox.org.

This year's Terry Fox Run is on Sept. 18. beginning at 9 a.m. at Swangard Stadium. There will be a short ceremony with the run following. There are two-, five-and 10-kilometre routes available in Central Park. The day generally finishes around 1 p.m.

To volunteer, contact Solnickova at 604716-2963 or email her at tfrbby@gmail.com.

"We're always looking for more volunteers," she added.