Max Denney-Gaddy, an Oakville resident, was given support from the community when he received devastating news.

Max was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer in December 2016.

Max works at a common stop for OHS students, U-Gas on Telegraph.

According to WebMD, colorectal cancer is a cancer which affects the colon and rectum. Colorectal cancer occurs when the cells that line the colon and rectum start to develop abnormal and then grow out of control creating a tumor, which is cancerous.

“You never really prepare for it, it sort of hits you right in the face out of nowhere,” Max said.

The cancer has metastasized, meaning that it has spread from its primary site to other parts of the body, in Max’s case, his liver.

Max is said to be a very exciting and fun person to work with, his co-workers loved having him around and has nothing but great things to say about him.

“He keeps us laughing, motivated, and keeps us going,” says one of his coworkers.

When his loved one’s found out he was diagnosed to the fourth stage of his cancer, they did everything they could to help him.

Max had one wish: to visit to the country of his dreams, Ireland. His loved ones did many different fundraisers including mouse races, a Gofundme page, selling bracelets and keychains, in addition to various other fundraisers in order to make his dreams a reality.

“It surprised me to my very core with the amount of support that came out after all of this,” Denney-Gaddy said. “They have gone above and beyond to help and to be supportive and there for me.”

With all the fundraising within the community, over 17,500 dollars was raised more than enough to cover Denney-Gaddy’s trip to Ireland.

The amount of support he has received has left him overwhelmed and overjoyed.

“They have been putting this event (mouse races) together for a while now and I just don’t know how to thank them enough,” Denney-Gaddy said.