A Tribute to John Kovacs

by his wife, Debbie

John Kovacs loved his family and friends. They meant everything to him. His favourite place was his parents' cottage, where he spent most of his last days. He enjoyed fishing, but hockey was his passion. Before passing, he told me nothing matters but family. He is greatly missed.

John was diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in December 2009. We were told there was no cure and to get our affairs in order. It was the worst moment in our lives. No time frame was given, but we were told that chemotherapy may stop the disease from spreading. John started chemo on January 4, 2010. He had many CT scans and MRI's, radiation on his brain and spine and only 5 rounds of chemo. By May, the disease was taking over and the chemo was no longer working.

We were told of another chemotherapy that would require John to be hospitalized for a week during treatment. Treatment would be every 3 weeks, but the chances of slowing down the disease was only 5 to 10 percent. John declined, and I fully supported him. It was his decision. I loved him so much, I had to let go. He never gave up. He fought to the end.

John went to the cottage in June, July and the 1st week of August, and his doctor couldn't believe it. She was amazed at the things he was doing, boating and riding an ATV. She said anyone else in his condition would have been hospitalized months ago. He loved life and wanted to enjoy it until the end.

John passed away August 25th, 2010 at home. We are all in pain, hurt and sad. Life is difficult to live without the person you love most. I have lost a part of me. My kids are angry and sad. This journey without John is difficult. Our lives are forever changed, and change is difficult. We miss him greatly. We love you John. We miss you John.

Donate in John's Memory

We had never heard of this cancer until it happened to John...and then to find out there is no cure. There needs to be more research done. A cure needs to be found to give others a chance. To find out you have cancer and there is no cure in this day and age is ridiculous. There needs to be more funding for these rare cancers. It's not fair to the patient or their families.

At least 97% of your donations in honor of John will be used for peer-reviewed sarcoma research. We hope that this research will better the lives of countless people who face this disease, both now and in the future. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation in John's memory, please consider donating by check, as checks incur no processing fees. To donate securely online with a 4.9% processing fee, use the "donate now" button.

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