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Daughter of Chilliwack man with metastatic cancer raising funds for parents

GoFundMe account reaches $20,000 in donations for Chilliwack lineman in just one day
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Chris Bourque of Chilliwack is currently in treatment for cancer, and his daughter Taylor has set up a GoFundMe account for her parents. On April 6, 2021, the amount donated had reached $20,000 in just one day. (GoFundMe image)

A GoFundMe that was set up for a Chilliwack man who is going through cancer treatment has gathered more than $20,000 in just one day.

The account was set up by Taylor Bourque, whose father Chris Bourque was recently diagnosed with advanced squamous cell carcinoma. She says his cancer has rapidly spread and metastasized into his spine and throat.

Funds raised will be used to help the family due to lost wages. Bourque has worked as an electrical lineman for 38 years, she added, and is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

“My dad may not ever be able to return to work again,” she says.

His cancer, which is a form of skin cancer, has progressed quickly and spread through parts of his body. On the Facebook page, Taylor gives a recap of what her father has been through so far.

”Earlier this year my dad started suffering from severe back pain which seemed to come out of nowhere,” she explains. “His condition quickly became worse and worse and by March 9 he was rushed to Chilliwack Hospital because he could no longer walk or sit upright without extreme pain.

“After many tests and scans it was revealed that he had three lesions on his spine and on March 15 he underwent C-spine surgery to remove a section of one of the tumours.”

She said it was when the doctors were rebuilding that section of his spine that they discovered the tumors were cancerous and had metastasized into his bones. Squamous cell carcinoma requires immediate treatment, and so he has now started radiation therapy. That is hoped to shrink the three largest tumors.

“We have been told that there is no guarantee that this will work and chemotherapy will be the next step in the process,” Taylor writes. “As of right now he has lost all mobility from the waist down and there is no guarantee that that will ever return. At this point we are uncertain if he will regain full strength and we have no idea when will be coming home from the hospital.”

Taylor says she created the page for her parents to help reduce their financial burden, and within the first day the donations had raised more $20,000 for them, from 86 donors. The listed goal is $100,000.

“Anyone who knows my dad will know that he is a fighter and a very strong individual,” she adds. “The fight will be long but cancer chose the wrong one to mess with. He’s been a lineman for 38 years and a standing member for the IBEW. All he wants at this point is a chance to ride his motorcycle again so please keep Chris in your thoughts and we thank you for all of your support.”

To donate to the Bourque family, visit their GoFundMe page, ‘Help in Chris’s Fight With Cancer.’

READ MORE: GoFundMe campaign to help Abbotsford girl, 11, paralyzed after spinal surgery


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Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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