The Swift Current community is rallying around the Dahl family after Rob Dahl was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer earlier this year.

A GoFundMe launched by friends of the family has already raised more than $10,000 to help cover travel, meals and lodging costs as Rob undergoes treatment in Saskatoon while off work.

“Honestly, I'm overwhelmed,” said Amber Dahl. “I knew we had good people in our corner, but the GoFundMe... I looked this morning, it was at $10,000. Even with everybody struggling right now with the cost of everything being so expensive, we literally have no words for it.”

According to the fundraiser summary, Rob went to the doctor in January after realizing something was wrong. Further testing quickly confirmed cancer.

Amber said the weeks following the diagnosis were filled with appointments and uncertainty.

“It was 87 days from the day they found it till when he went for his first chemo of just constant procedures and tests and blood work to get a plan in place and just to get everything started,” she said.

Months of treatment and travel ahead

Rob is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments in Saskatoon every two weeks, with each session lasting about five hours.

Amber said the treatment process will continue for months.

“We have four months of chemo,” she said. “Once he's done the chemo, he'll have a little break, and then he actually has five weeks of Monday to Friday radiation in Saskatoon, which is daily radiation for 25 treatments in a row.”

After radiation treatments are complete, Rob is expected to undergo surgery to remove the affected section of his intestines.

The travel and time away from work have added financial pressure on top of the emotional strain facing the family.

“He's currently off of work for the next year or so,” Amber said.

Family leaning on community support

Amber and Rob are also navigating the situation while raising two young boys, ages 11 and 12.

“The mental aspect has been obviously really hard, especially with the waiting,” she said. “There's only two cancer centres in Saskatchewan, so there's obviously a big wait.”

She said their sons have handled the situation remarkably well, helped by support from extended family and the broader community.

“I've been really proud of our boys,” she said. “We also have really supportive family close by that helps out.”

Amber said the support from the GoFundMe, gift cards, e-transfers and messages of encouragement has lifted a significant burden from the family.

“It literally feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders and just one less thing to have to worry about,” she said. “I would love to just say thank you to each and every person who actually did reach out.”

Looking ahead one step at a time

Rob recently completed his first chemotherapy treatment and was preparing for his second trip back to Saskatoon this week.

“He was really, really tired and not feeling so great after chemo,” Amber said. “But it kind of got a little bit better every day.”

The fundraiser continues online as the family prepares for months of ongoing treatment and travel.