Early last summer, 50-year-old Mattapan native Pierre Auguste felt a persistent pain radiating from his abdomen. He and his wife Ruth anticipated possible gallstones and began preparing for ambulatory surgery. Instead, after an examination, his physician gravely informed them that his gallbladder was not the problem, and that a CT scan would be necessary to diagnose what was likely a much bigger problem.

The couple were blindsided when the diagnosis came back: Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The tumors were creeping into his gall bladder and had metastasized to his liver.

In the wake of the initial devastation of the news, Pierre and Ruth – along with their large network of devoted friends and family – set to work strategizing about what needed to be taken care of. Meals, transportation, and above all, care for their 12-year-old son Evan have been meticulously scheduled so that Pierre can focus all his energy on facing up to the cancer that was threatening his life.

Pierre is now under the care of an oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is undergoing intense chemotherapy on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, several of the medications he needs are not covered by his insurance. One of them is Creon, which helps him to metabolize food and maintain a steady weight, a major challenge as he progresses through his treatment.

Pierre’s network has organized a GoFundMe page to help offset the ever-rising costs of his medical care, which, as of this writing, exceeds $100,000. Friends, family, and many gracious neighbors have already donated to help him reach his goal, and they are hoping to raise more during this season of giving.

The son of Haitian immigrants, Pierre grew up in public housing in Mattapan's Gallivan Blvd Apartments. The Auguste family attended Temple Salem Seventh-day Adventist Church on Woodrow Ave., and he began school first at the Berea School on Morton Street and, from 4th grade at St. Gregory’s Grammar School. He graduated from Boston Technical High School and earned his bachelor’s and master’s in business administration degrees from Boston College.

After college, Pierre and Ruth Baudouin, his childhood sweetheart, married and moved to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry. While on the west coast, they welcomed Evan, now 12 and a seventh-grade student. When they returned to Boston, they settled in Newton Corner, which they have called home for seven years.

Pierre’s own giving spirit and affable nature have consistently been a source of stability for those in need.

His friends know Pierre as a devoted son, husband, father, and friend to all, and they are now asking his generous friends and neighbors to provide him with some financial peace of mind as he fights to beat the odds — and help ensure the ongoing care and education of his son.

To make a donation online, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-pierre-thru-stage-4-pancreatic-can...