Luc's story on 'A' NEWS:
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Goldstream News Gazette - News
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Goldstream News Gazette - News
By Edward Hill - Goldstream News Gazette
Published: January 28, 2011 5:00 PM
Published: January 28, 2011 5:00 PM
A small sacrifice for a friend with cancer
On Friday, clippers rounded Noah’s head at David Cameron elementary in front of a chanting, wildly enthusiastic crowd of kids. For sacrificing his hair, the Grade 4 student single-handedly raised $1,965 to help the Savage family cope with expenses related to Lucas’ stay in B.C. Children’s Hospital.
“It’s overwhelming. The fact that a nine-year-old can go to that length of generosity, to have his hair cut in front of the school, to help us out is fantastic,” said Ed Savage, father of Luc.
“The community support is overwhelming for us. We couldn’t get through this without all of you,” Ed told the assembled kids, parents and teachers. He had the honour of balding Noah and did a clean job. "I've been telling Noah for two years he needed a haircut."
“I like it,” Noah said afterwards. “It feels strange.”
Luc was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, on Nov. 26, 2010, and was flown from Victoria General Hospital to Vancouver that day. He is undergoing aggressive treatment involving six kinds of chemotherapy.
“It’s been a roller coaster of emotions. At first we didn’t know where to turn for help,” Ed said. “But as friends and family became aware, everyone has chipped in to help us out.”
Noah’s mom Marcie Yates admitted her son was reluctant to lose his hair at first, but soon saw the light. The Savage and Yates families are close and go camping together. Noah and Luc’s younger brother have been friends since kindergarten.
“(Noah) said he wanted the family to come home healthy,” Marcie said. “Noah said he wanted to do this.”
Through pledges, a campaign through Facebook and T-shirt sales, in less than two months Noah raised nearly $2,000. A student from Dunsmuir school is selling friendship bracelets to raise money for the family.
“In the last two months its the kids that have overwhelmed us the most,” Ed said. “Kids are looking out for kids.”
The Savage family is splitting their time between home in Colwood and Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver. Ed and his wife have stopped working and they have two other kids to care for.
“Anyone with a child in hospital goes through this. We’re basically living in two separate locations.” Ed said. “The donations are huge and will help pay the bills.”
To donate to the Lucas Savage and his family, Coast Capital Savings will accept donations to “Lucas Savage In Trust.”
Luc’s progress is being updated on Twitter @SEVTEAMLUC2011
Original Story Coverage, click here
De Jong rink doin' it for Lucas
Cancer strikes young curler just weeks before Coastal playdowns
Ron Rauch, Times Colonist
Published: Saturday, December 04, 2010The Cameron De Jong rink from Juan de Fuca can not be blamed if they aren't totally focused on curling this weekend at the Victoria Curling Club.
With the B.C. junior men's and women's Coastal playdowns underway, the De Jong rink is playing with heavy hearts as teammate Luc Savage battles cancer at B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver.
The 14-year-old Savage was born with a genetic bone disorder and he also uses hearing aids.
View Larger ImageJanson Chapman, filling in for cancer-stricken teammate Lucas Savage, lets his rock go during opening-round action at the B.C. junior Coastal playdowns on Friday. The team is wearing 'For Lucas' badges on their jackets.
Darren Stone, Times Colonist
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Printer friendly"About three weeks ago, Luc just wasn't feeling right,'' said Marc Lucas, Luc's grandfather. "He was very listless and not eating which is very unusual for him. He can sometimes sit down and eat an entire pizza by himself.
"The doctors did many tests and they thought it was a virus. They sent him over to Vancouver and he was in isolation for two weeks before they found the cancer. They still don't know what type it is but Luc is a fighter. We are prepared the worst, but hope for the best.''
"Since he has been in the hospital, all he talks about is his team kicking butt at these playdowns,'' said Brenda Lucas, his grandmother. "He also talks about coming back and playing with the team again. The guys on the team are friends all year, not just during the curling season. Luc is a fighter and I'm sure he will rebound.''
This was Luc's fourth year of curling and it would have been his first time to the junior playdowns.
"At last year's juvenile playdowns, they were calling him a machine,'' said Marc Lucas. "He was just deadly, placing the rocks where ever they needed to be.''
The other members of the team are Alex Horvath, brother Tristan Savage and Janson Chapman.
De Jong did his friend proud, opening the eight-team, triple knockout event on Friday with a 7-5 victory over Josh Hozack from Victoria.
Stu Merrifield of Victoria dumped Nicholas Meister of Langley 12-4 and defending champion Tyler Klymchuk from Royal City dropped an 8-5 decision to Kyle Jackson from Delta.
Four teams from each division advance to the provincials, Dec. 26-31 at the North Shore Winter Club. The first teams to earn their spots will be determined in today's 2 p.m. draw. The other draws today are 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. There are two draws on Sunday at 9 a.m. (B Finals) and 2 p.m. (C Finals).
Defending B.C. junior women's champion Dailene Sivertson from Victoria breezed to an opening 9-2 win over Kayleigh Alendal of Chilliwack.
Kesa Van Osch from Nanaimo beat Bailey Freeman of Mission 9-3 and Amanda McAulay from Richmond edged Carley Sandwith from Victoria 7-6.
EXTRA ENDS: The B.C. women's Coastal playdowns started Friday in Langley with three Island teams trying to secure the two spots for the provincials, Jan. 17-23 at the Cloverdale Curling Club. Roselyn Craig of Duncan and Melody Burgoyne from Victoria both have 1-1 records while Nicole Backe from Nanaimo is 2-0.
rrauch@timescolonist.com
Original Times Colonist Article, click here
