Family, friends rally behind local man with terminal cancer

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This article was published 15/06/2022 (1568 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The family and friends of Peter Nissen are rallying behind the longtime community volunteer who is currently battling Stage 4 colon cancer to raise money for the financial burdens that will exist in the wake of his absence.

A luncheon fundraiser is being held today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Princess Park. Food from Sabor Latino will be available for $15, cash only.

Last month, a GoFundMe page was launched to collect money online. The proceeds will support Nissen’s family. His sister Tamara Drummond said these donations are much needed because Nissen is the sole income earner in his family, since his wife Dana suffered a massive stroke in 2016, leaving her paralyzed. Nissen has been taking care of her, but cancer treatments have left him weak and unable to work.

The Princess Park gathering is a fundraiser, Drummond said, but it’s also a chance for Nissen to do the one thing he loves most: being social.

“He really misses the interaction with people and wants to give thanks to the people who supported him,” Drummond said. “These treatments have meant he cannot get out like he used to. It’s made him lonely.”

In addition to the GoFundMe campaign, Drummond said the family is also accepting direct donations, since the crowdfunding platform takes a small fee from the fundraiser. Donors can contact 204-570-0555.

This all started last October, when Nissen visited the doctor for a rectal bleed. At the time, he was told it was likely a burst hemorrhoid, and he was supposed to be scheduled for a colonoscopy. The procedure wasn’t performed, and his health declined. In April, Nissen was hospitalized for a suspected blood clot. While there, doctors discovered he had Stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to other organs. The disease was diagnosed as terminal.

Nissen, who is known for his involvement at the East End Community Centre, is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation before doctors surgically remove the tumour.

“Without treatment, he has a life expectancy of about six months. But with it, it could extend his life [by] one to five years,” said Drummond. “He’s had phenomenal treatment since his diagnosis, and I can’t say enough good things about the doctors and everyone else treating him.”

Nissen’s friend Tyson Tame set up the GoFundMe campaign to provide the family with financial assistance. As of Wednesday afternoon, 76 donors had given $7,750. The goal is $15,000.

In previous comments to the Sun, Tame said he has known Nissen for so long that both he and his daughter benefited from his volunteerism when they were young. He first encountered Nissen as a bus driver for Sunday school at Calvary Temple, and Nissen helped his daughter lace up her skates at the East End Community Centre.

Any funds collected will only be accessible by Nissen, his wife and their daughter, Kayla Drakeley, Tame said.

Tame is also organizing an art auction as another fundraiser. The original idea was to auction off some pieces by local artist Weiming Zhao, but other local artists have expressed interest in donating works for the effort.

The auction is still being planned and items are being collected until June 30. The auction will be held online July 4 to 8. Contact Tame at 204-570-3378 if you want to donate works for the auction. All proceeds are going to Nissen.

The fundraiser can be found at bit.ly/3wQ3Zom.

» kmckinley@brandonsun.com, with files from The Brandon Sun

» Twitter: @karenleighmcki1