Hoxie Parks, 18, was recently diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. In less than a week his life changed in many ways. He is an easygoing guy with a lot of friends, a member of the ski team, a hiker, and a boat skipper. He is patient with young kids and an amazing brother. He was set to graduate from Homer High School in May, go commercial fishing this summer and begin college in August to pursue an aviation degree. His plans are delayed until he recovers.

The good news is his cancer is treatable. The hard part is Hoxie and Alan Parks (dad), Mindy Lewis (mom), and Ella, his sister, had to relocate from Homer to Seattle for treatment for the next 10 months. His treatment plan is for chemotherapy for three months, surgery, recovering for three months and three more months of chemotherapy. The costs of treatment, insurance coverage and co-pays are not fully known.

Many friends and acquaintances have asked how they can help. Donating funds will help the family with some medical costs and living expenses in Seattle while paying their bills in Homer. The funds may be used to help his parents fly back and forth to Homer for seasonal work. There is a Help Hoxie FaceBook page with updates on his progress and there will be a link for donating miles. There is a Help Hoxie Parks Battle Cancer Go Fund Me account for donating funds. There will be a Ski for Hoxie on April 9 at Lookout Mountain and the rope tow.

Mike Yourkowski, from Homer, also has started a bank account for Hoxie at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. For more information about donating to that account, give Mike a call at 299-2628.

You can mail cards and letters to Hoxie at 5130 40th Ave N.E. No. 373, Seattle, WA, 98105.

Thanks so much for positive thoughts, prayers for his recovery and donations.