At 56, Roberta Casabon’s husband, Glenn, was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread in his body. Her  most important job became that of caregiver. Glenn died seven years later at 63, after the couple celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary. A year after she lost her husband, Roberta decided to do something for caregivers across the country. Her crusade began.

“Prostate cancer is a family disease,” she says. “The patient needs support, but so does the partner caring for their loved one. I’ve experienced firsthand life as a caregiver and what it was like to fight for my husband. The whole time I knew I had to give back. And that’s when I got involved with Prostate Cancer Canada.”

Since 2011, Roberta passion has been unwavering, leader her to become involved wherever she can to raise awareness and increase support for caregivers. She attends model train shows - her husband’s hobby - speaks with survivors and partners, and helps develop programs with Prostate Cancer Canada and Movember’s TrueNTH.

“Caregiver is a really tough role,” she says. “What people don’t realize is there are two people and all the responsibility falls on the caregiver.”

Roberta believes change is happening, but much more still needs to be done to move the needle.

“Research shows this is a neglected part of treatment,” she says. “The medical community has begun to acknowledge that and is starting to look at ways to incorporate support for caregivers. It’s still in its early stages, but it’s recognized. I hope before my time comes, that I can see some change to start addressing this.”

 “I’ll do what I can, for as long as I can. That’s my mantra.”
 

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