I just wanted to pass along a quick update on Darrell's condition. Here's part of an email from Frank Zinck sent out late last night. Frank runs the website that's collecting donations for Darrell and his family:
First some bad news, Darrell had to have emergency surgery tonight to insert a feeding tube as he is unable to eat and losing weight. This should help him feel better and regain some energy and gain the nutrients he needs.
CBC has picked up the story because you guys destroyed Facebook in the city with so many posts of my website. The interview will air tomorrow and hopefully pull in more support.
Lori McKay is delivering a portion of the donations tomorrow (I did a withdrawal today and it takes 4 days for the funds to transfer, so my Martial Arts Club fronted the money) We felt they likely require something right away.
Kim Moar is contacting the Kinsmen and helping organizing any gifts we get and both Kim and Lori and myself have convinced our office to make the Oake family our Christmas family so the staff and Transcontinental will be supplying gifts.
A gentleman, whom I can’t remember his name, has a company that decorates houses for Christmas and he is donating time and supplies to decorate the Oake home tomorrow.
The kids profiles are posted on my website at
http://www.budocentral.com/Oake.html with their sizes and interests if anyone was thinking of picking up a gift and dropping it off.
The response so far has been great but Darrell and his family are definitely going to need more help over the coming months. A fundraiser is currently being organized for Darrell but no date has been set. Eric and I will post more updates over the next few weeks. Thanks to everybody who has pitched in already.