Community Benefit Planned for Father of Five Battling Stage 4 Cancer

The community is coming together this weekend to support a local husband and father facing a devastating cancer diagnosis.

David Evans, 37, was recently diagnosed with a rare Stage 4 esophageal cancer that has spread throughout his body. According to his family, doctors have given him a prognosis of 12 months or less, even with treatment.

Evans and his wife are high school sweethearts and are raising five young children together. He graduated from Barberton before serving in the U.S. Army — and then settling back home to build a life centered on his family. Earlier this year, severe stomach pain led to testing that revealed widespread cancer.

To help ease the family’s growing financial burden, New Ways Motorcycle Ministries and Hope Junction are hosting a Benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Bike Run on Saturday, July 18, at Lakeview Christian Church, 4613 S. Main St. in Akron.

The motorcycle ride begins with registration at noon and kickstands up at 1 p.m. Dinner will be served from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is:

$15 for the spaghetti dinner only
$10 for the bike run only
$25 for both the bike run and dinner

The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle and silent auction, with all proceeds benefiting David Evans and his family.

Organizers say they hope the community will come together to help provide financial support—and encouragement—for a family navigating an unimaginable chapter.

For those unable to attend, a GoFundMe has also been established in David Evans’ name.