|
Updated: 6:36 PM Jun 30, 2009
Friends shave their heads to show support for co-worker’s son with cancer
DENISON, TX -- A group of ten Denison men are showing their support for a friend who has two children suffering with cancer. Besides giving cash, they are parting with something a little more personal. Rita Kotey explains.
Posted: 5:45 PM Jun 30, 2009Reporter: Rita Kotey Email Address: rita.kotey@kxii.com |
|
DENISON, TX -- A group of ten Denison men are showing their support for a friend who has two children suffering with cancer. Besides giving cash, they are parting with something a little more personal. Rita Kotey explains.
It’s been a roller coaster year for William Coker and his family.
"Well you know they say God won’t give you more than you can handle, but I think I have had enough for the year," Coker says.
William Coker says the last few months have been difficult for his family. His 30-year old daughter, Melissa, has battled cystic fibrosis since she was born. In March, she had to receive a double lung transplant.
"We got the call for the lungs and made a mad dash for Dallas. Her and my wife spent two months and two days while I was at home running back and forth, and now she is at home doing fantastic," Coker says.
But things got a little more difficult when he found out that his son 28-year-old son, Derrick, had cancer.
"Now he is doing chemo and after that he will start radiation treatment. I went by to see him the day he had his chemo and that is pretty shocking. When it’s your kids, it knocks you down pretty hard," Coker says.
But now some of his coworkers and friends at Team Bonner Chevrolet in Denison are supporting him and his family with not only calls and cards, but by shaving their heads.
"This shows Derrick and his family that people love him and will go through things to show him that we will be there for him through anything," says friend Don Mocek.
"Not just that we are spiritually sporting him, we want to monetarily and financially support him through as much of this as we can," William’s employer, Dale Bonner, says.
Coker also sat in the beautician's chair for a haircut, hoping that it will encourage his son not to give up.
"To me it's the least I could do. When it’s your kids you do all you could do for him, so a haircut is nothing. But when you see your friends step up like Dale Bonner and all the guys I work with like Don Mocek, he is a close friend that I work with; it’s pretty touching to have your friends step up.”
*If you'd like to help the Coker family, there is a fund set up at American Bank of Texas. You can make your donation at any branch under the name of either Derrick or William Coker.
| AP Video on KXII |
|
|
| In The Community | |
Texoma group spends Spring Break helping others
Last Updated: 4:38 PM 03/16/10 - DENISON, TX--A local non-profit organization is giving back to the community by helping those in need improve their homes. It's called “Project Crosswalk.” (Full Story) |
|
|
Seeds of Hope Luncheon
Last Updated: 8:00 AM 03/16/10 - Its time for the Annual Seeds of Hope Luncheon to benefit the Crisis Center. (Full Story) |
|
|
GCC receives $675,000 grant
Last Updated: 5:56 PM 03/12/10 - DENISON, TX - Grayson County College received a large grant today that will provide training for jobs at local businesses. The college's Center for Workplace Learning was notified it would be given more than $600,000 in a Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. (Full Story) |
|
|
Volunteers needed to read to Denison kids
Last Updated: 2:59 PM 03/09/10 - DENISON, TX--It's Texas Public School week and Denison I-S-D needs volunteer readers As soon as possible for this week's Star Reader Program. On Tuesday, (Full Story) |
|
Tom Bean police officer honored for heroism
Last Updated: 5:59 PM 03/08/10 - TOM BEAN, TX - Tom Bean Police Officer Larry Rittenhouse was named the Hero of the Year at the city council meeting Monday night in Tom Bean. (Full Story) |
|
| More Headlines | |
| Most Discussed Stories |
| Achille mayor arrested for embezzlement 145 Comments |
| Boy threatens students with knife on school bus 69 Comments |
| Durant Police nab suspect with 58 lbs. of pot 60 Comments |
| 20 dead animals found, others seized from shelter 50 Comments |
| 2 arrested in Atoka shooting 49 Comments |
| Repeat offender drunk driver gets max sentence in Grayson Co. 40 Comments |



