Helping a neighbour in need

In the summer of 2010, Claude Labelle started feeling weak, and he knew something wasn’t right.

Since then, he’s “gone through the wringer and then some,” as doctors tried to determine what was wrong with him.

Just before Christmas, the father of two was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, as well as Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS).

Dealing with two illnesses simultaneously has caused the Labelle family so much stress and financial strain that his neighbours have jumped in to help.

Debbie Suotaila and the other board members of the Humarcin Residents Organization from the Evergreen Estates Mobile Home Park, on Hwy. 69 South, have decided to host a fundraiser for Labelle.

On Feb. 5, residents in the park and the community at large are invited to attend a benefit dance for Labelle at Porte Des Eaux, a hall on Pioneer Road.

Labelle said he was pleasantly surprised when he found out how much his neighbours wanted to help.

So far, Suotaila said the response to the benefit has been positive.

“Knowing Claude and (his wife) Sue, it’s not surprising people want to help out,” she said. “Everyone (in the community) knows Claude really well, because he grew up in the McFarland Lake area.”

Known as the residential handy-man, Suotaila said Labelle was always ready to help a neighbour or friend in need.
Since he fell ill, Labelle can no longer help his community in the ways he could before.

“I’ve got no more life,” he said. “Half the time I can’t eat — I have no strength to chew. I can’t walk.”

Small cell lung cancer and LEMS are commonly diagnosed together, Suotaila said. Right now, doctors are focusing on treating Labelle’s cancer with chemotherapy and radiation.

As he undergoes treatments, Labelle said every day brings a new set of challenges.

“Today is a really rough day,” he said. “I have no strength anywhere.”

While he copes with the challenges of cancer treatments, the effects of LEMS have left Labelle with vision problems, droopy eyes, no strength, an inability to eat without choking or gagging and difficulty moving around.

According to Suotaila, there is no cure for LEMS.

Lems.com describes it as “a rare autoimmune disease.” Auto-antibodies reduce the amount of acetylcholine, which are key chemicals that act as neurotransmitters, carrying information from nerve terminals through the space between two nerve cells. Lacking auto-antibodies creates feelings of weakness.

Although there is no way to rid someone of the disease, research is being done to find ways to “ease the symptoms” of the disease.

Suotaila said she hopes the benefit will help Labelle in his battle, as well as shed light on the disease.

Tickets to the dance cost $15. For more information or to purchase tickets, phone Suotaila at 705-523-2130.