Skip to content

Firefighter who beat cancer this year giving back through fundraiser

Meyer initiates campaign for chemotherapy unit where he spent a lot of time
30952173_web1_221117-CHC-Alex-Meyer-fundraiser-happens_2
Chemainus firefighter and parademic Alex Meyer. (Photo by Devon Gillot)

Paramedic and volunteer firefighter Alex Meyer of Chemainus is always thinking of others, even though he’s been through a long personal ordeal himself.

As a result of his efforts, North Cowichan Fire Department is conducting a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the chemotherapy unit at the Cowichan District Hospital.

“I spent hundreds of days battling cancer in this unit, and if it wasn’t for the wonderful staff I would not be here typing this story,” Meyer wrote on the GoFundMe page.

He spent 904 days, to be exact, battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma before being declared cancer-free earlier this year. The love and support of his wife Ashley has been a foremost part of his recovery.

“I couldn’t have done it without my best friend and love of my life,” Meyer praised of his wife. “You saved me more than the chemo did.”

Many others gave him the strength to keep fighting.

“During this time I experienced endless amounts of love and support from everyone around me, but one of my biggest supporters were my brothers and sisters at the North Cowichan Fire Department,” Meyer indicated.

He joined the Chemainus hall a little more than four years ago. “If it wasn’t for their mandatory lung function testing, I may not have known I was sick before it was too late,” Meyer explained.

“Now we, as a group, wish to continue to give back to the people who helped me.”

The firefighters are pledging to climb one stair in full firefighter gear and breathing apparatus for every dollar raised. The gear weighs about 65 pounds on top of an individual’s body weight so that’s no easy feat.

“Our goal is to present the wonderful chemo unit as much money as possible to go towards anything extra to help make the time spent in the chemo unit as pleasant as can be,” Meyer added.

It could entail providing snacks, more blankets, better chairs, televisions and other items as needed.

“The patients of the chemotherapy unit are members of our community and we wish to serve our community in any way we can,” Meyer noted.

Donations of any amount are welcomed, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the Cowichan District Hospital Chemotherapy unit. The goal is $2,500.

Go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/ncfd-fundraiser-for-chemo-unit for the GoFundMe page.


@chemainusnews
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

30952173_web1_221117-CHC-Alex-Meyer-fundraiser-happens_3
Chemainus firefighter and parademic Alex Meyer and wife Ashley. (Photo by Devon Gillot)