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Jim and Debbie
Boland have been married for
twenty-five years. Chicago-area natives,
they reside in Batavia with their five
children. Jim is a self-employed carpenter
and Deb is a long-standing employee of US
Air. Over ten years ago, the Boland family
was devastated by the death of their
six-year-old son Mitch. Mitch died on March
29th, 1995 from complications resulting from
a brain stem tumor. Just as the family began
to pick up the pieces, Debbie was diagnosed
and underwent surgery for a brain aneurysm
in 2001.
On Thursday,
January 13th 2005 Jim underwent a
series of tests to further investigate
symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and
head pressure. Tests uncovered two large
masses, one in the center of his brain and
another in the front-left region of his
cranium. The first tumor was removed at
Copley Hospital in Aurora. The second tumor,
a high-grade rapid-growth glioblastoma, was
diagnosed inoperable. Jim is undergoing
treatment to forestall it's growth and
relieve pressure and discomfort.
After routine MRI
screening in February 2006 five
additional tumors were discovered on the
other side of Jim's brain. The next day he
underwent surgery to relieve pressure by
removing two of the more aggressive rapid
growth tumors. In May 2006 additional MRI
screening was performed only to discover
yet, more growth. Physicians made a decision
to have Jim undergo Gamma Knife Surgery
which pinpoints the affected areas of the
brain and bombards the cancer with
radiation. This was an 18 hour process for
Jim as he continues his battle with this
terrible disease.
Jim is
now out of options and as of June, Doctors
discovered even more growth of the tumors
and will not perform any future surgeries.
We all hope & pray for a miracle.
On Monday October 16th 2006 Jim lost
his 22 month battle with brain cancer.
His brave struggle has left behind many
wonderful stories filled with an out pouring
of love and emotion from all who have come
in contact with the Boland Family. We
will continue to remember Jim and support
Debbie and the children.
We ask individuals and businesses
to please make a difference and get involved
by attending and/or sponsoring this
wonderful event on August 15th 2008.
Last year we had a
great turnout and due to kindness
and efforts of many people like you our
outing was a huge success. Come join us this
year for an action packed event that
features - Auctions, Raffles, and giveaways.
Banquet dinner and live entertainment all
for a great cause!
Make a difference:
Through the Boland Family Foundation, the
community
will
continue to remember Jim and support Debbie
and the children:
Nicole (23),Brittany (17), Kara (14), Thomas
(10), and Ryan (8). |
