Jasper Mohan, a 13-year-old student at Brooks Secondary School, is in Vancouver receiving treatment for a brain tumour and friends back home are finding a way to help out.
Jasper, son of Barbra and Stephen Mohan, fought eye cancer as an infant but has had a clean bill of health since. In November, however, doctors found a tumour in Jasper’s brain which they believe has probably been there since birth but only started to grow recently.
Since late November Jasper has been in Vancouver to receive treatment for the cancer. After some exploratory surgery, Jasper is now undergoing chemotherapy which is intended to shrink the tumour before it is removed. Following that Jasper will have to undergo radiation therapy.
Jasper’s friend Zach Franske, 14, and his mother Wanda Erikson are organizing a fundraiser for Jasper’s family. Jasper and his parents are currently staying at Ronald McDonald House, a residence set up for families with members in BC Children’s Hospital, and will remain in Vancouver during the course of his treatment. During this time they are missing work and having to pay for their living expenses in the city.
Skate for Jasper takes place from 7 to 9:30 pm on Friday, February 3, at Powell River Recreation Complex. Ice time is sponsored by Investors Group.
Erikson said they are also arranging for Jasper to see everyone at the fundraiser and talk to the crowd via Skype, an online video communication service. She said Jasper is well known and well liked and that an important aspect of the event is to give people an opportunity to see Jasper and hopefully give him a morale boost.
“There’s lots of people that just want to be able to show Jasper the support,” said Erikson, “and to be able to say hi and wish him well.”
Zach and Erikson have visited Jasper and his family twice now in Vancouver.
“He seems to be doing good,” said Zach. “He’s really tired but he’s not down about it. He knows he’s going to be fine and he’s really upbeat and chipper.”
“He’s got a long road ahead of him for recovery,” said Erikson. “He’s a trooper and so are they. They’re doing really well.”
Tickets for the event are $5 and are available at Breakwater Books and Coffee, Investors Group, River City Coffee, Vancouver Island University and the complex. All money raised from the tickets will go directly to Jasper and his family.
Donations will also be accepted at the event or people are welcome to deposit money into the Jasper in Trust trust fund that has been started at Scotiabank. Donations of items for either a silent auction or raffle, that will take place at the skate, are also being accepted at this time.
For more information or to donate items for the event, interested readers can contact Erikson at
[email protected] or call 604.414.8668.
The Tree Frog Bistro will also host a buffet dinner on Friday, February 3, the proceeds from which will go to Jasper and his family. The dinner will cost $23.95 per adult, $9.95 per child six to 12 years old and free for children five and under. People are invited to attend the dinner and then proceed to the skate. To reserve for the dinner interested readers can call 604.485.0010.
