Every so often comes the chance to help some good people through a heartbreaking and difficult time. This is one.
Play some golf. Help a family. Give to a great cause.
Near the end of 2005, we wrote about Dave Piland of Snohomish, father of four and best known as the Everett Silvertips public-address announcer. At the time, he’d recently learned that the source of his agonizing headaches was Stage 4 Glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive, malignant form of brain cancer.
He was 41 years old at the time.
Many of you wrote me in the weeks afterward, asking what you could do to help. You knew he was in for a difficult time, both physically and financially. So many of you were touched at Piland’s dogged faith, his unshakable belief that God would care for him.
In later months, we all were heartened at the news that the tumor was shrinking. Piland’s apparent recovery gave us reason to hope that the prayers and positive energy, along with two surgeries and several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, combined to produce a miracle.
“For a while, he was doing really, really great and people were amazed that he even had anything,” said Greg Piland, co-director of the golf tournament we’ll get to later.
Through it all, Dave and Lisa Piland have stood united in 25 years of marriage, along with their children, T.J., 23; Greg, 21; Crissy, 11; and Katie, 9. They all knew the cancer had a high return rate. They also knew they had the strength of their own faith and support of an uncountable number of friends, new and old.
In the past few weeks, the tumor has again grown. Piland’s physical condition has deteriorated. Everyday chores have become progressively more difficult. To allow Dave to avoid climbing stairs, the Pilands had their downstairs area altered to provide everything he needs there.
If you know Dave Piland, it shouldn’t surprise you that he’s kept active. He coached his daughters’ basketball team through his illness. Unless he feels completely out of it, he goes to work with his two sons, as manager of DeYoung’s Farm and Garden in Woodinville.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Greg said. “Even in his condition, the way he’s feeling and the bad headaches, he still goes to work for as long as he can.”
Through it all, Greg said, the family has drawn closer.
“A lot of people ask us, ‘How come you’re not furious? Why hasn’t Dave just quit and sat in bed?’” Greg said. “Faith has gotten us through this whole process. Without our faith in God, without our continuous prayer and our hope for healing, we would have nothing. We would be bitter.
“I don’t think we’re bitter. We’re hopeful and we trust in God. That’s what gets us through the day. Nothing else can comfort us more than our faith in Jesus Christ.”
Dave, especially, has been an inspiration, Greg said. His father remains stoic and hopeful.
“People are amazed at the way he acts,” Greg said. “The only reason he’s acting that way is because of his faith in Jesus. He’s not blaming God. He’s thanking God for these opportunities to witness other people.”
Bills have mounted, along with the worry of what the children’s educational fortunes will be, should their father no longer be able to help.
Thus was created the first Dave Piland Charity Golf Classic, to be held Aug. 10 at Snohomish Golf Course. Thirty-six teams, 144 players, will compete to help a family – to help with expenses, invest in Crissy’s and Katie’s future and raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Following the tournament is a banquet buffet dinner and a silent auction open to golfers and non-golfers at Lord Hill Farms in Snohomish. Dave Piland is expected to speak at the event.
Among the items at the silent auction will be memorabilia from NHL Hall of Famer Ron Francis, autographed Silvertips jerseys, air miles and much more.
The tournament still has plenty of openings. Click on www.DavidPiland.com or call 425-377-1954 to register.
Sports columnist John Sleeper: sleeper@heraldnet.com.
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