On weekends, a two-day music festival and beach volleyball tournament are held in downtown North Bay for a 31-year-old local paramedic battling level four colon cancer.
Jordan Gardiner and his German shepherd Hope, whom he had two months after his diagnosis, chemotherapy treatment. (Provided)
(Jordan Gardiner and his dog Hope undergoing chemotherapy treatment)
The disease is one of the five most common cancers in Canada affecting older people, with an average age of 69 at the time of diagnosis, Statistics Canada said in 2018.
However, after being diagnosed at age 28, Jordan Gardiner is willing to warn that you are never too young to be diagnosed with this type of cancer and that you are starting to get younger.
Gardiner initially had six months to a year to live, but three years later he is receiving palliative chemotherapy, his wife Paige Shemilt told CTV News in a phone interview Thursday.
About two months ago, Gardiner thought about how he could raise awareness about the disease among others his age and how he could do more to give back to the network when Jordan’s Bash for Hope fundraising concept was born.
Shemilt said the concept has taken off and they now have 20 volleyball bands competing and 20 locals, plus Canadian country rock star and North Bay’s Cory Marks, donating their time to play on the occasion on Sept. 9 and 10.
Festivities begin Friday at 6 p. h. and all ages are welcome.
Two stages will be installed, one on Main Street, which will be blocked for the occasion, in front of Lou Dawgs and another in the restaurant.
A block away, 4 will play on the sandblasted volleyball courts on Oak Street, next to the museum and bus station, where there are bleachers for spectators.
Gardiner played school volleyball and provincial beach tournaments.
The initial goal of raising $10,000 during the event and the money will go to Colorectal Cancer Canada.
Gardiner is the lead organizer and organizer of the organization’s “Never Too Young” program.
“My purpose is to inspire others to fight to, above all, never lose hope. And I want to convey the message that colorectal cancer can affect anyone. Early detection of colorectal cancer and possible options to lessen the threat are very important,” he said. said. in a press release.
On September 9, the musical performance will take place starting at 6 p. m. from 18 to 20 hours and volleyball matches from 18 to 20 hours.
The games begin on September 10 at 8 a. m. m. and end at 4:30 p. m. m. , while music plays from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m. m. to 11 p. m. m. with Cory Marks at 9 p. m. m.
Gardiner and Shemilt were in love with high school and have been together for thirteen years.
Shemilt said her husband was tested at the hospital in June 2019 and two months later was diagnosed with level four cancer, five days before they were married.
Jordan Gardiner, his Paige Shemilt and his German shepherd Hope. (Provided)
(Gardiner, his Paige Shemilt and his German shepherd, who had two months after Jordan’s diagnosis)
She said it’s vital to advocate for your own fitness and be on the lookout for things that don’t feel or seem to be okay with your fitness, even if they turn out to be small.
“Ask for this test, whether it’s a colonoscopy or a CT scan,” Shemilt said.
“We didn’t insist because we trusted the doctors.
Gardiner expects Jordan’s Bash for Hope to be annual.