Art Brochu during his visit to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre on Monday.--Submitted Photo
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
After more than a month – and 2,000-plus kilometres – 80-year-old Art Brochu’s journey to every cancer centre in the province is at an end.
The trip, which began in Fort McMurray in mid-June, concluded at the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre on Monday morning. For Brochu, the feeling is bittersweet.
“It is nice to have it done and to be able to say that I visited all 17 cancer centres in Alberta,” said Brochu. “But it’s sort of sad that I don’t have any more to go to.”
Brochu is a four-time participant in the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer, and previously cycled across Canada at the age of 70. He said he wanted to do something special for 80 years of age, and feels he has accomplished that, though the cycling itself is not difficult for him.
The experience itself, said Brochu, more than the cycling, is what has made it memorable.
“It’s absolutely amazing – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of people like them, these small groups that make a big group in so many different locations,” said Brochu. “They don’t get to meet each other very much, but they’re so similar when it comes to dedication, caring and the treatment of their patients.”
Brochu continued on to say he believes the different titles of nurses, staff, doctors and the patients may be better served by referring to them as a large family.
He said he’s seen “a lot of suffering in life” in regards to family members experiencing cancer, and wanted to do something to bolster spirits of both those battling cancer and those who help treat them, and shine a light on both how far society has come and how far it has to go.
“One manager told me, he thought that they were just not doing their job because more people were getting cancer,” said Brochu. “But it’s not that. People are surviving, so they’re coming for treatment for longer. So it seemed like they were getting more patients when they actually were getting the same patients, for longer, and getting better at catching cancer early, when treatment is more effective.”
With all of this in mind, there are more people than ever relying on cancer research and treatment, making it all the more vital that people do what they can to support the field.
“We’ve come a long way with the diagnosing, care and treatment, but we still have a long way to go. And we just need everybody to pitch in and help,” said Brochu. “If everybody threw in a little bit, we could get our centres this new equipment they need; all these things cost money, and for better treatment, we need that equipment. It will get better. But we need people to help out.”
As for what’s next for Brochu, he has a tee time this morning.
