After a routine pre-screening for a job at a Quesnel mill in 2016 found Dan Campbell had irregularities with his reflexes, he was sent to have more tests done. Those tests determined he had multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune condition that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Now only 39 years old, Dan has lost his ability to speak and is staying in a hospital as his condition has worsened.
A GoFundMe was set up for Dan in 2020 so he could upgrade his home to accommodate him as his symptoms worsened. Eventually Dan couldn't stay at his home and moved to Mission, B.C. so his brother Drew could take care of him. For a time Dan went to work with Drew at his automotive fabrication shop where Dan would offer advice from his wheelchair while Drew did the labour.
"Dan had a pretty bad bout of pneumonia and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and we put him in the hospital. We weren't sure if he was going to make it," Dan's brother Dustin Campbell said. He said the respiratory illnesses were made worse by Dan's worsening MS symptoms. "He overcame the RSV and the pneumonia but the MS is advanced so badly that he's stayed in the hospital ever since."
While Drew sees Dan every morning and evening outside of work hours, the family has been paying around $5,000 each month for Dan to be kept at the hospital and taken care of by Nurse Next Door. The family has been supporting Dan off the funds of the sale of his farm, which he loved, but they want to ensure they can continue to give him the best care they can which is why they're asking the community for support.
"We don't know how long Dan has. There's been twice since he's gone in (to the hospital) that we thought he was going to pass. And he's a fighter, he's held on. So we figured we'd put this GoFundMe on before the money was gone from the farm sale," Dustin said. "We want to make it as comfortable for him as possible and that's what the GoFundMe is for."
Dustin said while it has been difficult to watch his brother's condition worsen, he's been encouraged by the support of the community. The GoFundMe has already raised $9,100 of its $10,000 goal, which Dustin said will support Dan for another two months.
"He still loves to laugh," he said. "He used to be a great storyteller." Dustin said last time he saw him, Dan tried to speak but couldn't get the words out and most of his communication is through blinking.
"We really appreciate everyone that's helped out with Dan over the years. It's meant a lot," Dustin said. "We are truly grateful for the amazing community we live in and to be surrounded by so much care and support. Even though Dan can't say it, we know he appreciates it too."
The GoFundMe can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/jrjrt-help-a-young-millwright-hit-by-ms
