Local Businesses, Community Support Cancer Fighter

SAN MARCOS, Texas—Just three years after raising $47,000 to support an ailing friend who was fighting cancer, Derek Dobson is going through the same battle himself. His friends in the San Marcos community refuse to let him battle cancer alone.

When David Budnick was diagnosed with stomach cancer in April 2005, Dobson organized a benefit to help his struggling friend cover the steep medical costs associated with treatment. Budnick lost his battle with cancer in November 2006, but not before Dobson was able to raise $47,000 to help his friend. Then in May 2008, Dobson himself was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive and rare type-two bladder cancer.

With the intent to best Dobson’s fundraising efforts for his friend, local businesses and community leaders have begun to gather donations to aid Dobson in his fight against cancer. In March, Solid Rock Church hosted a barbecue benefit for Dobson, raising nearly $14,000. In April, employees of McCoy’s Building Supply rallied to support Dobson, a long-time customer and friend, raising more than $800 in a bake sale at their headquarters and $6,400 in a raffle at their San Marcos store location.

Dobson’s treatment included rigorous IV-administered chemotherapy every 16 days for six months and additional preventative radiation therapy on his brain for three weeks. Following surgery to remove his bladder, prostate and 25 lymph nodes, the Dobson family was given the news that the operation was a success.

On February 19, doctors broke the news to Dobson that the cancer had reorganized in his lymph nodes and spread to his bones. His family was told that the condition is incurable, and that Dobson’s time is short.

Despite the diagnosis, Dobson’s friends and family continue to hold out hope, seeking alternative treatments not covered by Dobson’s medical insurance. Fundraiser proceeds will be used to cover additional treatments for Dobson. Community members can make donations online at www.givetoderek.com or you can send a check, payable to:

Derek Dobson
102 Wonder World Drive
Suite 304, Box 202
San Marcos, TX 78666

Their telephone number is (512) 396-4763.

About McCoy's
Founded in 1927, McCoy's is a retail building supply company providing a complete array of building materials and services to its customer base of those who are "born to build." The San Marcos, Texas-based McCoy's employs more than 2,000 people and operates 84 stores in five states, including Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The company can be found online at www.mccoys.com.