The Durand Family
Given months to live, blessed with years to make memories.
Our story
In June 2022, our lives changed overnight when I was diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer and given a prognosis of less than a year to live. Our son was just six months old at the time. I wondered how much of his life I would get to see. The cancer had already spread throughout my body and later reached my brain. By God’s grace, more than four years later, I’m still here—watching that baby grow into a little boy. The journey has included years of treatment, hospital stays, frightening setbacks, and lasting side effects that have left me unable to work and our family dependent largely on disability income. Through it all, my wife has been beside me—my caregiver, encourager, best friend, an incredible mother to our son, and the steady heart of our family. Cancer has brought financial strain and uncertainty we never imagined, but it has also taught the three of us to treasure ordinary days together in a way we never did before.
What the weekend would mean to us
A weekend at the ranch would mean a chance to simply be a family—away from cancer treatments, doctor appointments, financial worries, and the uncertainty that has followed us for the past four years. After being told I might not live to see our six-month-old son grow up, every memory we make together feels like a gift. A peaceful weekend with my wife and son, laughing, exploring, and enjoying God’s beautiful creation would be more than a getaway—it would be another precious memory we once weren’t sure we’d ever have the opportunity to make.
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If an entry that comes through The Durand Family’ link wins the national final, The Durand Family win a free two-night stay at the ranch — whatever happens in their own bracket.