It was supposed to be the happiest vacation of their lives, but for newlyweds Luke and Angelica Rawick, their honeymoon in Victoria was cut short by a disastrous discovery.
A lump, found on the second night of their honeymoon, had the couple rushing back to Langley for emergency surgery.
Just days after their Nov. 28 wedding, doctors informed Luke, 21, and Angelica, 25, that Luke had Stage 3 testicular cancer, and it was spreading to his lungs.
Luke is now on four different types of drugs and is going through 12 weeks of chemotherapy for treatment.
As the couple grapples with the emotional and physical effects of the disease, Luke’s workplace — Milestones Langley — is doing their best to help financially.
On Wednesday Jan. 27, the restaurant, where Luke worked as a chef prior to his diagnoses, is holding a fundraising event for the Rawicks.
“(We are) very grateful, pleasantly surprised,” Angelica said in an email to the Langley Times.
“Not every workplace would do this for their employees.”
Tickets for the event are $20 and include a burger and a beer.
There will be a 50/50 draw, silent auction, head shaving event and music by local band Her Brothers.
Donations are being collected at the event and online through the GoFundMe Page.
The BC Hospitality Foundation has also stepped in, offering to match all donations (up to $7,500) as part of their program to provide emergency financial aid to employees in the hospitality industry during times of medical need.
“We’re honoured to be able to support Luke, who has dedicated the past few years to his friends and co-workers at Milestones in Langley,” said Alan Sacks, executive director of the BC Hospitality Foundation.
“We want Luke and his wife to focus on his recovery, not worrying how to pay their bills.
“We also hope that this fundraiser will help raise our awareness within Langley and the Fraser Valley so that we can continue to help more hospitality workers facing financial challenges due to health issues.”
Angelica says they are “overwhelmed with gratitude” by the support from the community.
“Thank you for everything, it means a lot to us,” she said. “There really are not enough words to describe how we feel right now.
“To anyone else out there who is going through this, maybe they don’t have the support we have.
“Hopefully our story will encourage (them).”
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are available at the door or online on Eventbrite,