Canton Man Riding Coast-to-Coast for Justin Kline
Editors note: The following are the preliminary announcements and report of Frank Watson, a Canton native who is beginning a coast-to-coast bicycle ride to bring awareness to blood cancer and fund raise for a cure. Frank Watson has chosen Clinton County resident, Justin Kline as the focus of the effort with the proceeds of the ride to benefit Kline.
From Watson’s blog:
CANTON – My name is Frank Watson. In 2014 my son Garth ran 40 miles a day from Oceanside California to New York City to raise money for “Stand Up To Cancer”. Running through 12 states in 93 days using 10 pairs of shoes he ended up in a very “elite club” of people who completed this 2900 mile journey in under 100 days.
Inspired by his run I will be leaving Oceanside Ca. On April 27th to retrace his route on an unsupported bicycle ride across America for a similar cause.
A few months back I was made aware of a guy in a small neighboring town that is living a battle with cancer. His name is Justin Kline. Justin has spent his life serving his community & giving of his time. This guy is the kind of guy that you hope your kids will grow up to be like. His parents have forfeited everything they own in an effort to be by his side, living in a rented apartment in Philadelphia Pa.while he is hospitalize.
This is the kind of story that plays out every day in every town. Garths run across America for Stand Up To Cancer made me aware of how devastating this disease is & how it affects everyone you know in some way. But now it has a real face & a real name.
So please go to Justin’s Go Fund Me Page @ http://www.gofundme.com/2wc4rptw to read Justin’s story & to donate what you can.
You can follow me on this site as I will be writing a daily journal with a recap of the day’s ride.
Additional information:
On Sunday, June 28, 2015, Justin Kline was flown by Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center after progressively feeling worse over a few week period, trying different antibiotics and medications with no results. The following morning, the Geisinger medical staff informed Justin and his parents, Rod and Sally, that Justin’s spleen had ruptured due to an extremely high level of leukocytes most likely caused by Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). An immediate procedure was done to repair Justin’s spleen and efforts began to regain stability. The procedure went well and Justin was stabilized within a day. That following Tuesday, doctors confirmed that Justin is suffering from ALL. His first chemotherapy treatment was administered that same night.
Since June 28, 2015, Justin has undergone endless chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He spent several months in the care of Geisinger Medical Center Danville, before transferring to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.
As anticipated, Justin has had some setbacks, but they have certainly not outweighed his tremendous progress!
On Thursday, April 14, 2016, Justin received his bone marrow transplant from his mother, Sally. His progress has been amazing! As expected, Justin has suffered immense physical strain, including but not limited to extreme weight loss, temporary paralysis of his face and extremities, and debilitating fatigue. He has had the opportunity to come home at random times, and in the natural character of Justin, has insisted on being in the dugout of the Central Mountain Junior Varsity Baseball Team where he still serves as an active assistant coach!
Through hope and prayer, the bone marrow transplant should be the “final chapter” of Justin’s recovery. That being said, this is a procedure that opens the door for many additional complications and certainly demands constant medical attention as Justin’s body receives the new bone marrow. At best, Justin will be hospitalized for at least another 6 weeks at Thomas Jefferson Hosptial.
Justin’s devoted parents, Rod and Sally, have committed to being with Justin throughout. This has and will continue to require an amazing amount of financial obligation in many regards. Justin’s mother, Sally, has made the sacrifice of giving up her job to be by Justin’s side. Justin’s father is retired and has also fully committed to being in this battle until “victory” has been achieved! They have spent more nights out of their home in Beech Creek than in it over the past several months. They have been forced to rent an apartment in Philadelphia while Justin remains at Thomas Jefferson Hospital. They still drive home frequently to take care of the necessary tasks at home before returning to Justin’s side.
As we all must expect, this has put Justin and his family under incredible financial and emotional strain. And this doesn’t even include the medical expenses that compound daily.
Justin has spent the last decade of his life dedicated to volunteer work. He has played an integral role in the recent success of Keystone Little League as well as served as a volunteer coach for the Central Mountain High School Baseball Team and Legion Baseball Team. Many of you also know Justin as “Mayor” as he has served in that capacity for the borough of Beech Creek for the last few years. Justin also recently joined the Grange Fair Board; again in a volunteer role.
There has been amazing support to date from our local community and the gratitude that Justin, Rod and Sally have for this is unimaginable. That being said, our help is needed today as much as it has ever been!
On April, 27th, a gentleman by the name of Frank Watson of Canton, Pa will be beginning a journey on his bicycle from the coast of California to Central Park, New York. When Frank heard the story of Justin through local native, Bill Holland, III, he immediately decided to dedicate his journey to Justin’s recovery. As Frank rides across America, he will be campaigning for Justin. Frank will be posting a daily journal as he rides at www.frankscoasttocoastrideforjustin.com. If a man who has never met Justin can dedicate riding his bicycle over 3000 miles in 5 weeks, I hope we can all find it in us to contribute a little as well.
It is now OUR time to give back to Justin and his family! Justin’s success in this battle is in the hands of the medical staff he has been assigned. It’s important that he feels the support of the community he has so humbly served for several years. Please find it in you to donate whatever you possibly can to assist in this battle. More so, please keep Justin and his family in your thoughts and prayers…it’s certainly necessary!
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support! I will continue to keep everyone posted as Justin continues down his road to recovery.
Thank you,
Justin’s Friend, Zach
Follow this journey on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/frankscoast2coast4justin
And on Instagram at:
coast2coast4mayorkline
Donations may be made by visiting:
https://www.gofundme.com/rideforjustin
