Dave's Story

Dave was first diagnosed with a cancerous mole, called Malignant Melanoma, on his abdomen in the Spring of 2002. The mole was removed, but by the Fall of 2002 the melanoma spread to the lymph nodes in his right armpit. The cancerous lymph nodes were removed; however in the Spring of 2004, the cancer returned again, this time as a tumour in his upper spine. The tumour was diagnosed at the end of May and Dave immediately underwent 25 radiation treatments throughout June and July. By this time the Melanoma had spread to his liver and lungs.

When the radiation treatments were complete, Dave started chemotherapy, completing three of his six scheduled treatments. Dave had a particularly aggressive Melanoma and ultimately the cancer spread faster than it could be treated. Dave died September 26, 2004 at the age of 33, three weeks after the birth of his baby daughter, Ashlyn. Dave grew up in Victoria, graduating from Stelly’s High School as Valedictorian. Dave was an avid athlete having completed five Ironman competitions, including Penticton, California, and Hawaii, as well as nine marathons. He also competed in a variety of shorter course and half Ironman races as well as many local running races. In addition to his dedication to sports, Dave spent 14 years working in many key roles for Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, completed programs at the University of Victoria, recently obtained his CGA designation in February of 2004, and was a frequent volunteer and supporter in the community. Dave believed his greatest accomplishment was being there for the birth of his daughter, Ashlyn, on September 3, 2004 – just three weeks before he died. Dave had an insatiable curiosity and zest for life, a great sense of humour, and always lived life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a wonderful friend, uncle, son, brother, husband and most recently father. Dave was our hero and our Ironman. It’s now our job as Dave’s friends and family to tell his story and to educate people on this horrible disease. We need to provide increased funding for research in order to find a means to treat and potentially beat this deadly disease called Melanoma.