A school teacher from Newfoundland now teaching in northern Alberta has found him self between a rock and a hard place after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Bryan Bramwell, who taught at different schools in metro for the past 20 years, left the province for Nunavut and then got a position in Peace River, about five hours north of Edmonton.

Last fall, he found himself with what seemed like acid reflux but the pain and discomfort only grew worse. He was eventually found to have neuroendocrine cancer—tumours in the stomach.

The long-term prognosis is good but he has missed well beyond his sick leave maximum of 20 days, leaving him with no income.

Bramwell, a native of Carbonear, says a good friend, Krista Gilbert, suggested that he set up a GoFundMe page, not something he wished to do but had to do.

Because of the medication, he is unable to drive to his treatments in Calgary, and has to maintain a principal residence in Peace River plus a partial one in Calgary.

“I was adamant at first that we not go that route but the financial situation has forced my hand,” says Bramwell.