Throwback Thursday – BTFC Awareness

It took me some time to formulate my own thoughts about the revelation that Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip has terminal brain cancer. Obviously, I had thoughts I could share on the air, but I had to hold back on my instinctual reaction, which was to suggest that people give to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada if they want to do something useful in Gord’s name. 

Now that my participation in last Sunday’s walk for the foundation is over, I feel easier about suggesting it. I’m wary of the judgmental social media leeches who would have seen an earlier request as self-serving. I’m pretty sure I’d have taken criticism for making Downie’s diagnosis about me – even though that’s not what I meant. But I still think that once you’ve expressed your sadness, it’s best to do something tangible for the greater good. And BTFC is certainly good, when it comes to helping people with brain tumours.

I became acquainted with the Foundation, which is based here in London, when my former 680 News colleague Richard’s teenage brother David was diagnosed with an inoperable form of brain cancer; astrocytoma. Downie has glioblastoma. It’s a tumour that begins out of complete reach of surgery. They remove as much as they can and shrink the rest with radiation. Typically, in 90% of cases, the tumour sits dormant and then suddenly returns with a vengeance somewhere within a five year window. That’s why they call it treatable, but not curable. It makes its own blood flow and is aggressive. David was just 19 when he died.

I emceed the Brampton BTFC event for several springs and eventually also did some freelance work for them. I believe in what they do because I’ve seen how they helped the Blooms learn about David’s illness and navigate a complicated medical system for oncology patients. And when you enter their building, a beautiful picture of David is one of the first portraits you see.

If you do want to do something practical to express your sadness over the diagnosis for Gord Downie, you could send him a card or a tweet. You might buy a ticket to see The Hip on their final concert tour this summer or pick up their new album next month. Or you could make a donation to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada in his name and let him know that you don’t want anyone else’s family to have to go through what he, his wife and their four children are experiencing right now.