Lost battle to cancer

Photo: Contributed

At the age of just 16, Justin Shavela was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (a bone cancer) in his jaw. After extensive reconstruction surgery with bone from his tibia, and three years of treatments, he went into full remission. 

But, nine years later, at 25, his cancer returned. This time, in his knee.

"He was told that amputation was the only option. For those who know Justin, this simply was not an option.  With his strong will, he set out on a path of tirelessly searching out alternative, holistic methods of treating cancer," friend Kris Hall wrote.

After finding the right treatment, and after only six weeks, he saw a 90 per cent shrinkage of the cancer that nearly cost him his leg. 

But, this past August, Shavela received the devastating news that the cancer had returned again. This time, having spread to his liver. 

"Though in typical Justin fashion he continued to battle this disease hard, its rapid and sudden onset caught he and his loving partner Leanne by surprise and unprepared," Hall says.

''Leanne has stood by Justin’s side every step of the way, personally covering expenses as necessary and taking all the time off work needed to ensure any support Justin needed."

On Wednesday, Shavela lost his battle. 

Hall has organized a GoFundMe page to raise funds to continue to support Leanne.