Kyle Clark (center) with his three children in a picture posted to the GoFundMe page raising money to support him and his family while he undergoes treatments for terminal squamous cell carcinoma. Web image

WEST PARIS — West Paris Provisions will host a fundraiser at noon Saturday, Oct. 12, for Norway resident Kyle Clark, who has recently received a terminal diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma.

Clark has been active in the Oxford Hills community, coaching kids in various sports for close to two decades, according to a GoFundMe.

“His service to the Oxford Hills has been an absolute highlight in his life and is something that he was born to do,” the page says. “Kyle is an extremely caring and generous person who wears his heart on his sleeve and would do anything for anybody. He does this without expectation of anything in return and I hope that your giving can be done in the same spirit.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, squamous cell carcinoma is “a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells on the skin.”

Andelena Henderson, owner of the medical cannabis store West Paris Provisions, stated a goal of raising $50,000 to help support Clark, his three children, and his girlfriend, Ashley Leonard, while he undergoes chemo and radiation treatments to try to stave off the cancer. Leonard has had to take leave from work to help care for Clark and their 3-year-old daughter.

The fundraiser at 253 Bethel Road in West Paris will have games, raffles, prizes, product promotions, food, and more, Henderson said. The Clark family is expected to attend.

“We are asking if any of our vendors would love to be a part of this event and help donate raffle items, giveaways or just donate to the cause itself,” Henderson wrote by email.

Already many vendors, individuals, and local businesses have donated, Henderson said.

The shop will be taking donations for all of October. The GoFundMe page has raised $14,525 so far.

A Sept. 24 update from Leonard on the GoFundMe page stated that Clark was recently given a terminal diagnosis and may only have a short time to live.

“We’ve tried to keep a positive mindset and fight this head on. Unfortunately, it is an extremely aggressive cancer, and he’s fought it with chemo hard since February, but it’s not working,” Leonard wrote.

Clark will receive seven weeks of radiation at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston starting this month.

“I also want to take a moment to express how grateful we have been to many of you (who) rally around us and help Kyle fight this terrible disease,” she wrote. “The love and support have truly been a blessing during a dark and uncertain time.”

To donate visit here.