Prostate Cancer Canada - Prostate Cancer Canada

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Hello everyone,

Nine years ago this summer, I got a chilling call from my urologist telling me that I had an advanced case of prostate cancer. I was 43 years old.

So much for this being an old man’s disease.

I started treatment about a month after diagnosis. The treatment I chose started with hormone therapy followed by external beam radiation, radioactive seed implants, and eventually even more external radiation. For someone not used to lying around a lot, I was beyond frustrated by the radiation-induced exhaustion. I had tubes in places you don’t want to have tubes, more times than I can count. I found out what incontinence meant. I did laundry a lot and preemptively set my alarm for the middle of the night. And yes, I climbed Kilimanjaro a year later, partly to prove to myself that I could do it, and partly so people would stop asking me how I was.

And then, almost five years later, the aftershocks: one day I was leaking blood from somewhere below the belt and had no idea how that could happen or why. It was terrifying. A few months later, I basically lost normal bladder function, was rushed into emergency surgery and spent months in recovery mode. There were other complications, too many to list here. But that’s all beside the point.

The point really is that we don’t have enough guys and enough families talking like this.

I’ve been through the depths of personal loneliness immediately following cancer diagnosis. I have friends who have even gone through prostate cancer surgery without even telling their families. One of the great things Prostate Cancer Canada is doing is getting this disease out in the open and driving home the critical awareness and early detection message for men through events just like this one.

That’s why I’m proud to be Honorary Chair of the inaugural Scotiabank Stick•It to Prostate Cancer event, October 3rd at the CrossIron Mills.

It’s no secret I love sports and adventure. I also believe mental and physical health, laughter and inspiration are all key to beating this terrible disease. Add it all up and the Scotiabank Stick•It event is a clear winner in my books.

I want to extend a thank you to Scotiabank and all of the other Stick•It sponsors as well as Prostate Cancer Canada. I also extend a very personal thank you to all of the Scotiabank Stick•It participants and donors.

Most of all, thank you to everyone who shares their prostate cancer story.

Stick•It to prostate cancer? Damn right, we will.

My Best,

W. Brett Wilson