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Doantions help family in struggle with cancer

By Lisa Scheller - | Sep 12, 2001

A 24-year-old Basehor man diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer will have surgery on Oct. 11.

Mike Covey underwent surgical removal of one testicle in June and completed his chemotherapy in August at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

But a recent CT scan showed that the tumor which had spread to lymph nodes in his lower back had not shrunk. Because of that, it will be necessary to surgically removed the lymph nodes.

His surgeon has said Covey will remain hospitalized for at least a week after surgery.

Because of his unexpected illness, Covey and his fiance, Holly Garrison, and their son, Dalton Covey, 7, have had financial difficulties since his diagnosis. Covey, who works as a house painter, has only been able to work a few days since June. Garrison, who has been a stay-at-home mother, said she would be glad to go to work, but her husband’s doctors advised her to wait until Mike is fully recovered.

The family has struggled to make ends meet since Mike’s diagnosis of testicular cancer.

To help, a “Mike Covey Benefit Fund” has been set up at First State and Trust Bank locations in Tonganoxie and Basehor.

Additionally, donation cans are at several area businesses. Garrison said that about $600 had been donated in the cans.

After an August story ran in The Mirror, Garrison said an anonymous donor paid the family’s water bill. The family is now about three months behind on their rent.

“Our landlord has been really nice about it,” Garrison said. “We were able to send them $200 a couple of days ago, but it’s on my mind all the time. I owe these people money and every month that goes by you add another $525 for rent.”

She said a Basehor-Linwood school counselor called to say people had been asking her if there was anything the Covey family needed for their son, who is in the second grade. And the Covey’s neighbors worked with a church and raised money to pay the Covey’s phone bill. Their phone, which had been disconnected, is now back in service.

Before Covey’s cancer diagnosis, the couple had been planning to be married. Their wedding date has been set for Sept. 22, three weeks before his surgery.