The Wiebe family will have at least some of their hardship lightened thanks to a concert that raised more than $10,000 to ease the financial stress that has accompanied their long journey with cancer.
Rob Wiebe has faced five bouts of cancer over the past 15 years. Most recently he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2012 and the resurgence of his fourth brain tumour in late 2014.
On Friday, while Rob was still recovering from brain surgery, Prince George Secondary School students sang and danced their support to a full room at Vanier Hall.
"I was just so surprised and thrilled with the generosity and the turnout," said Jodie Baker, a teacher at the school who helped organize the benefit concert for the local firefighter. Rob's wife Barb works for the school district, their daughter goes to PGSS, and their son graduated last year.
Baker was expecting an audience of about 100 and instead almost 600 people filled the the room.
That translated to $5,000 from at the door in donations alone. The silent auction brought in another $3,000 and the Prince George firemen raised another $2,640.
Baker had a goal of about $2,000. The community responded with five times that amount.
"The story really struck a chord with so many people in Prince George," Baker said after the event. "It has just grown into a flood of compassion from this community."
Rob's story of "constant adversity" really resonated with people, she said.
"We're a society that is all about planning ahead and I think not knowing where your future will go or knowing that it's constantly in turmoil is exhausting. I think that's where people really felt compelled to step up," said Baker, who has known the family for more than 20 years.
It was also the first time the community had the opportunity to help in a big way.
"Yes neighbors have pitched in and we have taken turns taking garbage to the dump or plowing the driveway, or dropped off baking or dinners, but there has never been a huge recognition of this famiy's constant battle with cancer."
Baker retold several stories of surprise donations.
A woman from the Hart Retirement home phoned the day of the concert wanting to help. So the school secretary made the trip, had tea and biscuits and gathered the cheque for $200.
Baker said a long list of businesses offered item after item for the silent auction.
Baker praised the "beautiful displays of ballerinas and modern dance" by youth performers, as well as the musical sets that tied in piano, song and guitar.
One of the best moments of the night was when Rob's son Scott surprised the audience on the big screen, Skyping in from the University of Waterloo.
"[Scott] talked a lot about how strong his dad is, and how he's the strongest man he knows," she said. "It was touching."
