Community Unites to Support Sequim Family Battling Rare Cancer and Financial Strain

SEQUIM -- In a poignant reminder of life's unpredictability, Rod Dirks, a 36-year-old husband, father, and entrepreneur from Sequim, is currently facing a daunting battle against a rare form of cancer known as myxoid liposarcoma. This rare disease, affecting only around 2,000 people annually in the United States, was initially detected by a massage therapist who noticed a lump behind Dirks' left knee. Despite being a young and active individual, the lump's alarming growth spurred Dirks to seek medical attention. Unfortunately, the journey to diagnosis was not swift. After a few months of mounting concerns and a doubling of the lump's size, Dirks received the cancer diagnosis in August, but it wasn't until January of this year that he could finally begin treatment. The long wait was attributed to the scarcity of specialists; only one doctor in Seattle has expertise in treating sarcomas. As if the diagnosis wasn’t challenging enough, Dirks and his wife Megan faced financial stress. The costs associated with cancer treatment can be overwhelming, but thanks to an outpouring of community support, they raised over $45,000 through a GoFundMe campaign. This funding has been crucial in helping the couple manage living expenses and medical bills, allowing Dirks to focus on his health. Throughout January, Dirks is undergoing radiation therapy five days a week, an intensive regimen that he has managed thus far without significant side effects. He expresses gratitude for the community's unwavering support, stating, "It's been amazing... a true blessing." The couple's coffee roasting business, Essence Coffee Roasters, remains operational during this challenging time, thanks to the hard work of three baristas stepping in while Dirks and Megan manage treatment and recovery. Dirks continues to roast coffee on the weekends when they return to Sequim, balancing his responsibilities as a father to their two-year-old daughter, Maeli, and navigating the complexities of his health crisis. Looking ahead, Dirks has a crucial surgery scheduled for February 26. While the prognosis includes the risk of losing his leg, he remains hopeful and resolute. "I'd rather lose my leg than my life. It'll be what it'll be," he said, reflecting a remarkable perspective in the face of such adversity. A surprising twist in Dirks' treatment came through the use of soursop graviola, a fruit extract common in South American alternative medicine, which he attributes to reducing the lump’s size and alleviating his pain. Despite the early success with this supplement, he acknowledges the necessity of proceeding with conventional medical treatments. In addition to the hurdles posed by his condition, the couple has faced tremendous heartache in the past, having lost their first daughter, Mavery Elyn, shortly after her birth in March 2021. This shared grief has fortified their bond, and now, amid their current trials, they have reason for hope once again—Megan is pregnant and due in August. In a time filled with uncertainty, Dirks highlights the importance of family and community. "I have Megan and little Maeli by my side every day, and that’s a gift," he shares. As the Dirks family navigates this challenging journey, they embody resilience and the spirit of perseverance, drawing strength from the love that surrounds them and the hope for a brighter future.