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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 20, 2014 | 4 Family faced financial burden to help Bryce continued from p.1 "We were all hoping we'd see him at the event and that his drug treatments would continue, and the money raised would assist in that regard. But that wasn't to be," he told the Oakville Beaver. Instead, the Smiths announced at Flynn's celebration the funds collected from the evening would be used to cover Mr. Smith's outstanding medical bills and any remainder directed to a memorial fund. "It is our hope that we will have enough funds to initiate a memorial fund as a way to help other people so that they would not have to experience the kind of stress that we have in funding medication for their loved one," said Lyn. The Smiths had been fundraising since November 2013 to pay the $5,600 cost of the drug, which was needed every three weeks. Avastin has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of cancer, but the provincial government -- in a funding decision made by Ontario's drug evaluation committee -- only covers the cost of the drug for treatment of colorectal cancer, stating there's a lack of proof of sustainability of life, according to Lyn. Mr. Smith received 16 treatments of Avastin, attended. "What Bryce was totally amazed at was that people he had never met would do something like that, just to help him out. I can't help but think that even though he may not have known he was in his last days, he knew that the community had responded and he wanted to come out last night to thank everybody. "He never got the opportunity, unfortunately, which is sad. But the money is going to go to its intended use," Flynn said. The MPP explained he wanted his celebration to serve a greater purpose and act as a fundraiser for the Smith family effort after speaking with Mr. Smith's dad, Jim -- a former Town councillor with whom Flynn had served. "It was just two things that came together at the same time," said Flynn. After seeing how many neighbours and residents came out to a garage sale fundraiser at the Smith family home last spring, Flynn told Jim he would help him put on an event in the late summer or early fall that allowed people to "attend an evening and contribute to Bryce Smith's Avastin Fund." However, last Thursday evening, Mr. Smith was taken by ambulance to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and then to the neurological intensive care unit at the Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga where doctors told his parents and Carla he would not regain consciousness from the coma. see Family on p.13 Claude's vaCuum shop Includes Deluxe Air Package Sales · Service · Parts Free Estimates on Repairs Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday · 9am - 6pm Wednesday · 9am - 5pm Saturday · 9am - 4pm sale $39999 Carla and Bryce Smith married on Sept. 6, 2014. Mr. Smith died Sunday of a brain tumour. | photo courtesy of the Smith family Supreme 100, 10 Years Warranty 128 Kerr St., Oakville, ON L6K 3A7 905.842.5658 | claude2@cogeco.net www.claudesvacuum.com in conjunction with chemotherapy, and his doctors had told him if it weren't for the drug, the swelling in his brain would have been significantly worse, according to his mother. Flynn said he and celebration organizers were looking to raise $15,000-$20,000. "I wouldn't be surprised if we exceeded that goal," he said, noting approximately 300 people Voted the Best in Oakville We Invite you to find out why! Call today for your personal tour. We'd love to have you join us! Retirement Living 380 Sherin Drive, Oakville, Ontario (905) 847-1413 www.vistamere.ca At Its Best