Kevin Hall, at 25 years of age, with a young wife and a 16-month-old daughter, should have the world by the tail. The sad fact is that this vibrant and fearless young Native man is in the fight of his life with cancer.
In June of 1998 Kevin and his family were told he was not responding to radiation and chemotherapy treatments and that he would have six months to a year to live. He and his family
decided to look at alternative medicine which had led to some success, but the cancer returned recently and right now, Kevin, his family and friends are praying for a miracle.
He is hoping that a new alternative treatment through the Canadian Cancer Research Group will help him. This treatment is expensive with a cost of about $18,000 and although it is still experimental it may offer Kevin a chance as he bravely readies himself for another round with this devastating disease.
Kevin’s parents, Theresa and Elwood Hall, and his sister Lynne are doing what they can to support him through this difficult time. Kevin’s fight has been a long one since he was diagnosed in December 1996 with Hodgkin’s Disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes. His strong belief system, spirituality and Native traditional treatment has helped him.
Kevin has accomplished much for his young age. He graduated from a four-year Honours BA in Native Studies at Laurentian University in April 1998. He was hired recently as a counselor for youth shelter in Ottawa, which among other things, assists homeless teens.
In addition to playing hockey in University, Kevin has also played for the Timmins Golden Bears Junior A Team. He know what it is to be part of a team. Perhaps, all of us in some way, through a financial donations and prayers, can offer our support as part of his team. Maybe you are a young parents just starting off in life like Kevin, maybe you are middle aged and as a parent you are watching your own children grow, perhaps you are a grandfather or a grandmother who understands the plight of our brave Kevin, maybe you are a coach of a hockey team or a player on a hockey team, maybe you are a young native professional or someone still in college or university, perhaps you are a teacher or a care giver – no matter who you are, if you are reading this plea in Kevin’s name, please reach out and give him a hand.
You can bring your donation to any Bank of Nova Scotia and make a deposit to the trust fund For Kevin Hall, Bank Of Nova Scotia, Cochrane Ontario Branch. Make sure to include your name and address with the deposit as Kevin and his family would like to get back to you with thanks and a receipt for a tax write off will be sent to you. Make your money order or cheque payable to the Trust Fund for Kevin Hall and send it to the bank of Nova Scotia, Box 250, 127 Sixth Avenue, Cochrane, Ontario, POL I CO. Make sure to include your name and address.
To date the first nation communities of Moosonee and Attawapiskat are developing fundraising events to help Kevin and as well events are planned for Cochrane and Timmins. Some Native communities are designating a regular bingo game for Kevin and directing the proceeds of the game to his trust fund. If your community or group decides to do this please send the proceed by money order to the Bank of Nova Scotia in Cochrane payable to the trust fund for Kevin Hall.
In the spirit of giving I thank you for any help you can give Kevin.
