“I think I went into shock,” he said.

“You almost feel like you are in a dream. ‘Is this really happening? Did I hear her correctly?’ Then you go over it and over it in your mind and you say, ‘Yep.’”

The Canadian Cancer Society says pancreatic cancer usually grows quickly and is often not found until it is at an advanced stage, where the tumour has spread or cannot be removed with surgery.

They also noted that in Canada on average only about 8 per cent of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years.

Cross said his only hope is for an experimental cancer surgery called IRE (Irreversible Electroporation/NanoKnife), which uses electrical impulses to shrink tumours without damaging surrounding tissue.

In February, the province announced a $2.1 million pilot project to study this treatment, however, because any help from the study will come too late to help Cross he is looking to England where NanoKnife surgery is already being done.

The only problem with this option is the procedure costs a lot of money.

As a result, Cross has set up a gofundme.com account with the goal of raising $60,000.

The music teacher emphasized that while NanoKnife treatment is not a cure for his cancer it could extend his life by another five years if successful.

His plea has been heard loud and clear in Oakville where friends and members of Walton United Church’s congregation are rallying to his support with a flood of donations.

As of Aug. 21, just 10 days after his GoFundMe account was set up, supporters have donated nearly $32,000.

Walton United Church congregation member Suzanne Whiteley was so moved when she learned of Cross’ diagnosis that she circulated flyers asking her fellow churchgoers for help.

“He is the most charismatic person. He would do anything for anybody,” said Whiteley.

“When he sings at our church you can hear him right down on Bronte Pier. It is so powerful. … He is music personified. He is a fantastic guy. We just have to save this guy.”

Walton United Church Rev. James Gill said Cross has been an active and dedicated member of the church for many years.

He noted Cross entertained both the church and the community using his many musical and dramatic abilities at concerts, shows and socials.

“Members and staff have prayerfully supported Greg in so many ways in his medical journey,” said Gill.

“A small group of Walton people has personally helped in Greg’s social media GoFundMe campaign. Dozens and dozens of Walton members have also personally donated generously to help fund the NanoKnife operation.”

Cross is also getting help from his friends with one allowing him to stay in her London, England home later this month as he prepares to undergo the NanoKnife treatment, which is currently scheduled for Aug. 29.

“The response from my church, my friends, my past colleagues from the shows I’ve been in has been amazing,” said Cross.

“It overwhelms me. At times it brings me to tears because I can’t believe it. There are even anonymous people who have been supporting me. It’s just really amazing.”

Cross said if the treatment works he plans to use the new time he will have to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer to hopefully spare other families what his is currently going through.

He said news of his diagnosis hit his wife Emma and children Adam, 20, and Nicola, 15, hard.

The entire family is now availing themselves of counselling services in their community because while Cross is hoping for the best with the NanoKnife treatment he must also prepare for the worst.

“If you know your death is immanent what do you do? Who do you talk to? What is on your bucket list? That’s what we have here,” said Cross.

“I’m trying to fit 10 years of love and laughter into eight months. Hopefully it will be more than that.”

Anyone interested in donating to Cross’ treatment can do so at his GoFundMe account www.gofundme.com/nanoknife-out-of-country.



