Tim McGibben

Tim McGibben, 42, is a father of two boys with a girl on the way. In November of 2009, Tim was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. The radical surgery removed the tumor but the diagnosis came back as a very rare type with an unknown prognosis. Tim is now in the middle of chemotherapy struggling to survive.

Tim grew up in Santa Cruz enjoying everything the ocean and mountains offer a boy. He naturally drifted to building luxury homes and moved up in that field all the while surfing, running and fishing whenever he could. Tim met Kara on New Years Day '01, married in '05 at Hollister Ranch. They fell in love with it and moved there 3 weeks later. They are raising 4 year old Jack and 2 year old Kevin there. Kara is pregnant with a girl due in early October.

Because of the economy, Tim was laid off before his diagnosis. Kara worked in the same field and was also laid off. Tim got his contractors license in hopes of starting their own business, but his diagnosis put this plan on hold and Kara was able to land a part time job to try and make ends meet. Between his fight and recovery, her job, and raising young kids and the financial stress, they need our support!

Tim found a shell on the beach a few weeks before his cancer surgery. Of all things, it had a golf ball stuck in it! He had been told the tumor was golf ball size and immediately wanted to chuck that dam ball into the ocean. Tim kept the shell with the “tumor” inside and planned to someday paddle off the coast and symbolically get rid of it. He was informed he had been selected by TFP to be the 2010 beneficiary. Tim knew then what to do with that dam ball and shell. He wants to drop it into the middle of the channel, in as deep a spot we can find, and rid himself of the cancer.

Now the paddle means everything to him and is his focus for healing and recovery!

The McGibbens are right in our wheel house. The Friendship Paddle community has paddled and supported 7 families in similar struggles. We will paddle for them on October 23 to show love and support during this difficult time.

A few weeks before going into surgery Tim wrote this on a piece of paper:
FIGHT FOR US
BE STRONG
STAY STRONG
LIVE TO BE WITH YOUR FAMILY

Tim McGibben Donation Letter (Word)

Tim McGibben Donation Letter (PDF)

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