On his 50th birthday, Don began an annual tradition of being tested for prostate cancer, a precaution he never expected would play such a crucial role in his life. For years, his results remained reassuringly low. But at the age of 68, his PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) testing spiked to a level of 5, which caused a red flag. Don’s doctor began monitoring his PSA levels closely and when his PSA level increased to 8, Don was referred to a urologist, who scheduled a biopsy. The resulting news was not what Don had anticipated: he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The diagnosis hit him hard, as it does for anyone. Since his family history had made him more concerned about heart disease, Don joked with his doctor, “You have the wrong guy; I’m supposed to have a heart attack, not prostate cancer.” After the initial shock, Don turned to conducting his own research. He investigated different treatments, even consulting with a specialist in Toronto about High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound a newer therapy. To his surprise, the specialist in Toronto recommended the same advice as the urologist in Edmonton, to undergo a prostatectomy. Grateful for the honest recommendation, Don felt confident in his choice and prepared for surgery.
Don’s medical journey became even more challenging due the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, he was scheduled for regular PSA tests every six months, his wife urged him to undergo testing early in January 2021. That extra push may have saved his life as Don’s PSA had jumped to 15. Due to these alarming results, his urologist arranged for surgery two days later. The procedure couldn’t have come at a better time, as his cancer had started to breach the prostate but hadn’t metastasized. Don credits his wife’s intuition with saving his life.
Don speaks openly about how prostate cancer impacts more than the patient. His wife’s support became his anchor, especially in the face of the side effects following the surgery. The Prostate Cancer Centre’s (PCC) motto, “Saving Lives. Saving Families,” resonates deeply with him. During this time, Don’s relationship with his wife grew even stronger, a bond he treasures, understanding that it is not always the case for every couple facing similar challenges.
Post-recovery, he thought his journey with prostate cancer had ended. Then, unexpectedly, one day a recruiter reached out to Don about a Fund Development position with the PCC. Though he was initially hesitant as he was enjoying retirement after a 50-year career, Don knew this wasn’t just any job. It was a calling. Joining the PCC became his passion project.
Every morning, Don wakes up with a renewed sense of purpose. He’s on a mission to spread the message, “Early Detection Saves Lives,” because it truly saved his own. Working with the MAN VAN® program, he’s seen the power of this message being delivered, firsthand. What began as just a handful of men showing up to small clinics has increased to 40 or more attendees, all eager to be proactive about their health. For Don, nothing compares to having men approach him and mention how they found about prostate cancer after a PSA test on the MAN VAN® and how early detection allowed them to treat it in time. Hearing, “You saved my life”, is the ultimate reward.
This November, Don urges everyone to support PCC’s Keep It In Alberta campaign. With a matching donor, every dollar goes even further, helping to fund life-saving initiatives like the MAN VAN®. For Don, it’s not just about funding; it’s about giving others a chance to save their lives. “It’s worth every moment,” he says, “to make sure more men get that chance.”