There’s an old saying that lightning never strikes twice. But Marilyn Goodsky’s friends may beg to differ.
The 24-year-old single mother was diagnosed with bone cancer three weeks ago, sadly coming on the heels of her triumphant struggle against breast cancer.
This time, Goodsky’s friends are raising money so she won’t have to face that fight alone. They want to make sure her three-year-old son, Silver, and other family members are by her side.
“We want to be able to have them there to support her while she undergoes the chemo and radiation,” noted Linda Jack, a drug and alcohol prevention worker at Onegaming, where Goodsky lives.
“She had a really hard time when she had cancer before,” Jack added.
But it was the death of Goodsky’s father late last year after a long illness that depleted any money the family had.
“They’re in need of assistance. We need about $5,500,” stressed Laurie Rose, a community support worker with Anishinabeg Community Counselling Services. “[And] if we can get more, we will.”
To raise the necessary funds, Rose and Jack are teaming up to stage a potluck dinner at the Nanicost gym Saturday starting at 6 p.m. Afterwards, those on hand can dance to the live music of “Elvis and the Late-Night Jammers.”
The cost of admission is $10 per person.
The pair also are raffling off a Wayne Yerxa painting, donated by the artist, with the framing donated by Janey Sisco at the Camera Shop Plus.
Tickets are available at the 10 area First Nations band offices, at CC Complex (Couchiching), JD Junction (Manitou Rapids), and the Onegaming Arcade.
The draw will be held April 17.
“Then we’re going to be planning, hopefully, some bingos and other fundraising activities,” Jack added.
Goodsky will have to make three more trips to Thunder Bay for chemotherapy. She has to stay a minimum two nights there each time, depending on how the treatment goes.
Her first treatment last week went well, Jack said.
Then starting June 1, Goodsky will be in Thunder Bay for six weeks to undergo radiation treatment. After that, she will have to make two trips to Sudbury–the first for a physical and the next for a bone marrow transplant.
While medical services will contribute $157 for each trip to Thunder Bay, Jack stressed that didn’t cover the costs of having her family there with her.
On the positive side, despite the battle ahead, Jack felt Goodsky was coping quite well, noting she was devoted to her son and wanted to spend as much time with him as possible.
“She’s got a wonderful sense of humour and I think that’s her saving grace right now,” Jack added, but noted the family was having a harder time than she was with it.
Anyone wishing to help out can contact Jack (484-2339) or Rose (274-9839).