Teacher with Lymphoma keeps giving back to community

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A local gym teacher has been giving back to his school through an annual fundraiser at the Soulard Mardi Gras parade.

For the past eight years, Tim Basler, who teaches at Lift for Life Academy, has set up a tent outside Chavas restaurant selling drinks and hotdogs.

Through an arrangement with Chavas the proceeds have always gone to his school.

At this year’s parade Basler set out to raise money toward upgrading the weight room at Lift for Life.

“It’s a full day with family and friends and we’re out here helping a good cause,” Basler said.

At least, that’s what Basler thought he was doing on Saturday as swarms of parade-goers lined up at his tent. Basler didn’t realize that something else was in the works.

Behind the scenes, Basler and his family have been dealing with a different struggle for the past year.

In the summer he was diagnosed with Lymphoma, a painful condition with no cure that has meant extensive treatments and trips to doctors around the country.

“It’s hard to describe. It’s been hard on the family, friends, work,” Basler said.

His wife, Colleen, said Tim had been wanting to give back to the school community despite his health issues.

“He’s the most positive guy ever. He doesn’t look sick. If you talk to him he says he’s okay. He’s always wanting to help others,” she said.

Tim had been working the fundraiser not knowing that Chris Yberra, the owner of Chavas, had coordinated with Lift for Life Academy to donate the money back to Basler to help with his treatment.

On Tuesday, Yberra, Basler’s family, and his school community gathered in the gym to surprise him with a check for $12 thousand.

“This was the one way we could take action and let him focus on his recovery,” Yberra said.

Dr. Katrice Noble, the director of Lift for Life, became emotional afterward talking about Basler and his contributions to the school. Her own son had died of cancer recently.

“Tim’s been giving. He’s been here and impactful at Lift for Life with his time,” Noble said.

Tim was visibly touched during the ceremony, and said it would help him and his family immensely as they continued managing his Lymphoma.

But, always thinking about ways to give, he said he was still hopeful to find a way to raise money for the school.

“I’m looking forward to updating our weight room and we’ll keep trying to do that,” he said.

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