Large Cell Angioplastic Lymphoma – big words for a simple name….Cancer

Cancer is the dread of all families and unfortunately the Vaydo family is living it- right now.
Our 23 year old brother, Andrew, is fighting this rare cancer and right now he is not winning. We have been putting our faith in
the medical system and the doctors and they are trying their best. We are doing everything we can to help him, which to us,
doesn`t feel like much, but we have decided to plan and hold a fundraiser- to try and help. Obviously he cannot work and yes he
is living at home, but the costs are starting to mount. When the doctors said the cancer is too aggressive, we can`t give you
the life saving stem cell transplant. We said let`s get a second opinion and see a naturopathic oncologist. The naturopath
treatment won`t cure his cancer, but it will help the chemo work more effectively. In the end he is going to need that stem cell
transplant. We are committed to saving our brother and if the BC medical system won`t do it we`re going to take him to Seattle
for it.

That is where we are… waiting. So please if you can help, whether it is helping with our event in some way, donating or even
attending the event- please, do.

Andrew’s Story
Andrew, the older of the two Vaydo boys was diagnosed with Large Cell Angioplastic Lymphoma in December 2009 at the age
of 22. In late summer of 2009 Andrew wasn’t feeling well, he was constantly stiff, sore and feeling tired. When his joints
became so painful that working was difficult Andrew went to his family doctor and was referred to a Rheumatoid Specialist.
With the suspicion that he had arthritis he began treatments, but as the pain continued, becoming worse they began to look for
other answers. In the meantime Andrew had to stop working and captaining his rugby team as the physical demands were more
than his body could take. As the situation evolved and more testing was done doctors changed Andrew’s diagnosis to
Polymitisis, a degenerative muscle disorder, and adjusted his treatments accordingly. But Andrew wasn’t showing improvement,
in fact he was becoming sicker and weaker, masses started to develop on his chest and under his arm. In December biopsies and
further tests were scheduled, but before they could be completed Andrew took a sudden turn for the worse. At the advice of
doctors his family rushed him to Vancouver General Hospital where he was swiftly moved through the emergency room and into
intensive care.
Andrew was diagnosed with cancer, Lymphoma, and it was creating fluid that was building up in his chest cavity, effecting his
lungs and organs. With the fluid being drained Andrew’s condition improved and he was able to start chemotherapy, but fevers
and fears of infection kept him in the hospital. This unfortunate turn of events caused him to miss celebrating Christmas and New
Year’s at home with his family. Eventually Andrew became well enough to go home and to continue treatments as an
outpatient.
The doctors were optimistic, but the Lymphoma did not respond as well as they expected and in the summer they decided that a
stem cell transplant would be the only way to beat the cancer. Even with three siblings there wasn’t a family match, but
thankfully a perfect match donor was found within months. When it came time to prepare for the transplant there were
complications. The Lymphoma was too aggressive and Andrew was no longer a candidate for transplant.
Andrew’s family has sought out naturopathic treatments to work in compliment with traditional treatments, in hope of putting the
Lymphoma into remission. Unfortunately these treatments are not covered by BC Medical Services Plan or extended medical
insurance. This has meant an ongoing cost of an average of $1000 per week for Andrew and his family. After consulting with
another oncologist it has become clear that the only hope is a stem cell transplant. If Andrew is unable to procure this transplant
through the BC Medical Service, he will have to travel to Seattle for treatment. At this point in time we are not sure what the
costs of his future treatments are, but we are still hoping a transplant can occur in BC without travel.
The family is doing their best but costs are running beyond what they are capable of handling, they are asking now for your help
in making sure that Andrew will get the help he needs. They will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party to raise funds, if you are
able to attend or to make a gift of services, money or an item that can be raffled off please contact us.

The Vaydo’s
With more than 50 years living in Langley the Vaydo family is well known in the sports and business community. Randy, the
dad, is known as a leading supporter and former president and player with the Langley Rugby Club, where both of the Vaydo
sons now play, he has coached rugby at Brookswood Secondary and in the community ensuring he sons always had a team to
play on. Dori, the mom, ran a family daycare for 20 years and now owns and operates a cleaning business. Their two daughters
are also active in the sports community playing soccer together for Langley FC and softball in the Langley Commercial Slo-Pitch
League. They are a very close family in some cases working together as well as playing together and everyone knows that
Sunday dinners at the Vaydo house are mandatory.