Community Supporting North Adams Man With Cancer
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Josh Sargent's world quickly changed last May when, at the age of 27, he was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer.
"The doctors were shocked because they don't look for that in a young person," his mother, Lisa Sargent, said. "There was genetic testing, we have been to Dana-Farber [Cancer Institute] and he started chemo but it spread to his lungs and his bones very quickly. This was just in May."
She said there are about 2,000 cases of cholangiocarcinoma a year in the United States and there is little to no treatment available.
Sargent said Josh showed incredible strength after the diagnosis and took that bad news in stride.
"He was a chef at Mingo's and worked right up to the day he was admitted," she said. "He was not a complainer and he worked every day."
Josh Sargent is going through chemo to give him some relief and extend his life.
Mingo's Sports Bar and Grill is hosting a lasagna dinner Tuesday to celebrate and benefit Sargent. The proceeds will help pay for his medical expenses and travel costs.
Lisa Sargent said she has gratitude and even though her family's world was rocked by such an immediate tragedy, she is thankful that she has had time with her son.
"My son sat with me and said 'Mom I'm going to die' and I said 'Yeah you are. It's not fair but you are' but I find the gratitude," she said. "There are many parents whose kids walk out the door and they never come home and the never get to say 'I love you' but I get that and that is a gift right now with my son."
Her son has made an impact on many lives through his 27 years, she said. Some 260 tickets were sold to the dinner by last week. She said friends and family are coming from throughout the country to support Josh, who plans to attend.
"People just remember Josh as the nice guy, the loving guy and a kind guy," Sargent said. "People are coming, even friends from grammar school and high school."
She does not want the benefit dinner on Tuesday August 16th to dwell on the uphill battle her son faces with stage four cancer, but to be a celebration of his life that will bring people together.
"Why does it have to be tragedy and bad things that bring people together?" Sargent said. "It always seems to be that way so we are hoping to change that."
She said the event would not be possible without the tremendous support of the community.
It will include basket and 50/50 raffles, door prizes, gift cards and more, such as Red Sox tickets up for grabs.
"An enormous amount has been donated by family, friends and local businesses," she said. "The outpouring of support has been phenomenal."
Sargent said donations have come from everywhere. Even a young waitress who Josh worked with at Mingo's saved up her money and gave him $1,000.
"She was saving it for something special and she gave $1,000 to my son because she thought Josh was something special," she said. "She could have gone on a vacation with that money but she gave it to my son. It is an affirmation of humanity. This community is beautiful. People really are wonderful and they care."
Sargent said her son often asks why this is happening to him. Not his diagnosis, but all of the love and support surrounding him. She tells him it is because of the life he has led and the impact he has made on those around him.
"He asks 'what did I do to deserve this love mom?' and I tell him 'you have been a nice kid' and that's all you have to do and what everyone should do."
The dinner runs from 4pm to 8pm, with takeout available. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Mingo's; limited tickets will be available at the door.
Tickets are $12; seniors are $10 and children 12 and under, $5. Bowling will be available afterward for $5 a person.
Tags: benefit, cancer,
