Bridgeport's Joff Rolland Fighting Cancer Round Two; In Need of Specialized Medical Equipment
By Julie Perine on September 06, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
About a year ago, the community came together to support Joff Rolland in his fight against Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which originated in his tongue and throat. The Bridgeport resident underwent several weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, which proved successful.
Rolland’s disease is back. He remains at Ruby Memorial Hospital after extensive procedures, including an emergency cricothyrotomy which left him with a tracheostomy and feeding tube. Now, he and his family are in greater need than ever before.
“My dad is completely ready to come home; however, we can’t afford the medical equipment necessary,” said his daughter Sarah Rolland VanKirk. “It costs more per month than what my parents have coming into the house.”
The family is working with Reep Graphics on a T-shirt sale that will help fund medical equipment/supplies and continue to spread Rolland’s positive spirit and a ministry he has shared by blogging throughout his entire journey.
The T-shirt design features a guitar; appropriate for Rolland’s love of rock music, particularly Pink Floyd and the Eagles. Inside the guitar is scripture from Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Shirts are $15 each and can be pre-ordered by emailing VanKirk at snvankirk@gmail.com.
Those who pre-order will be contacted when shirts are printed, in approximately two weeks. Orders can be paid via check, cash or through the cash app.
Rolland's other daughter, Brittany Rolland, has implemented another fundraiser.
"I'm a photographer and will be set up in three locations throughout September, the first location will be this Saturday, Sept. 8 and I will be at Bridgeport City Park," she said. "All proceeds from the photo mini sessions will be given to my parents to purchase medical equipment."
The fall mini sessions are in 15-minute intervals with a minimum donation of $25. The mini sessions will be held 7 a.m. through 6 p.m. She will also be set up Sept. 22 at Valley Falls State Park and Sept. 29 at Audra State Park. To make an appointment or get more information, visit One Thousand Words Photography Facebook page or call/text her at 304-627-5581.
VanKirk shared that Rolland, a 1977 graduate of Bridgeport High School, went for a routine PET scan late this summer. The test was expected to confirm that the chemo and radiation had worked, but in fact, the results indicated affected lymph nodes, which were subsequently removed.
“They then found that his thyroid was completely full of cancer and found a spot on his liver as well,” she said.
During surgery to remove the thyroid, it was necessary to perform the emergency cricothyrotomy.
“(Because of effects of radiation) He was so swollen, they were unable to intubate him so they had to cut in to give him emergency airways,” VanKirk said.
Rolland is scheduled to start another round of chemotherapy next week. The immediate goal, VanKirk said, is to get her dad home. He and his wife Robin live in Bridgeport, as does VanKirk.
For that to happen, the family needs to obtain some specialized and very expensive equipment to aid in breathing, feeding and cleaning of the tracheostomy. Donations can be made to the Joff Rolland Fund at any City National Bank branch.
