Calgary couple both laid off and diagnosed with cancer: ‘maybe we’ll go together’

UPDATE: Laid-off Calgary couple facing cancer diagnoses humbled by GoFundMe donations

Calgary couple Dan and Darlene Desgagne experienced a tumultuous past several months: they have both lost their jobs unexpectedly and they’ve both been diagnosed with cancer.

“I was terrified ….absolutely terrified,” Darlene said. “I went into panic mode.”

Dan is going through radiation and chemotherapy for Stage 4 throat cancer and Darlene has uterine cancer.

“The last few years were hell. We call it our dark valley.”

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The two are hardworking and humble. They’re raising their two sons, 21 and 17 years old.

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They’re both fighting to survive financially and physically, but worry more about one another.

“When I was diagnosed with cancer …it’s nothing,” Darlene said through tears. “When your loved one is diagnosed, it strikes the fear of God.

“We hugged each other and said, ‘maybe we’ll go together.'”

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They’ve had a hard time surrendering to the reality they need to rely on some help. They’ve launched a GoFundMe page to help reach out for support and have been overwhelmed at the generosity they’ve seen.

“I never realized so many people cared about us. It was a huge blessing,” Darlene said.

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