LARRY'S CORNER- Hamilton's Former Mayor Speaks

The Scourge of Cancer Among Us

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted June 4, 2008)

As Mayor I was invited to attend many fundraising functions for all manners of good causes. I willingly went to plenty of events out of a sense of duty to the volunteers in the organizations who were dedicating time, money and resources to make the lives of our afflicted citizens better. I also went to be inspired by community leaders, health care professionals and those living with often debilitating illnesses. These events never failed in teaching me a thing or two about community engagement, the power of purpose and the courage of individuals personally affected, and the families who cared for them.

Of all the good causes I supported, none has come home to affect me personally like the scourge of cancer.

In the last few months I have had a dear family member and my very best friend afflicted by two very different kinds of cancer. My family member is thankfully doing very well with a hopeful prognosis. My friend is fighting the fight of his life.

So, it was with this personal background that I attended this year’s “Hummingbird Ball” in support of the Juravinsky Cancer Center.

The ever philanthropic Charles and Margaret Juravinsky were, of course, there. As was Dr. Bill Evans President and CEO of the JCC. The event’s superb organizers were there in the persons of Morris Mercanti and John Bukovac two Hamilton businessmen who put on a wonderful and profitable evening. Honoured as well were ordinary citizens who have been raising funds for cancer research and care as well as health professionals involved in the hopeful work that will see the eradication of this dreaded disease. Every word spoken and every penny raised meant more to me because of my personal relationships to two people I care a lot about who are fighting for survival like so many other Hamiltonians, Canadians and world citizens I don’t know by name but know to be there fighting hard to beat cancer.

As Mayor I was once told that if you are ever, God forbid, going to get cancer, Hamilton would be a good place to get it because of the excellent care you would receive. I have come to see the truth of these words. I also traveled to Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital with my friend and found that facility to offer care and hope in a magnificent way as well.

But, at Juravinsky, my visits have been so much more personal. I accompanied my friend to his chemotherapy session; and while being shown around, I heard a gentleman call out to me. “Your worship!” he kindly called me by my old title as I approached to greet him. “This is my fortieth treatment,” he said with some pride at his tenacity, “And I feel very good”. Another lady, a Hamilton leader, was there. We said hello and she told me that she was there as a breast cancer survivor just to get her regular check up. She looked great and I am sure things are going and will go well with her. Other people nodded, some waved. An older Italian couple told me they were having some trouble with the city and since the husband was ill, could I help them resolve their issue. I am only too glad to try to do so.

I also saw many people coming and going. Some were visiting; others were obviously involved in the struggle against cancer. And wherever I looked I saw smiling professionals attempting to be as helpful as possible.

I have also learned more about cancer than I thought I would need to know. Lymphoma, sarcoma, carcinoma and many others are all terms I have become familiar with. I have also seen first hand how this awful disease engulfs everyone in the process: the patient, first and foremost, but also family and friends. I have learned how the disease tests one’s very being in a powerful way. It also tests one’s physical, mental and emotional aspects. I have learned the power of care giving and the need for support in small and significant ways. I have also learned the genuine compassion of people who feel for the individual fighting this fight and the family and friends who are supporting this person. I have learned how lonely this struggle must feel and how important it is to surround the patient with love and support. I have also learned how angry all of us can get at the tyranny and cowardice of this disease that strikes by stealth and for no apparent reason. And I have learned how powerless we all can feel as we inevitably surrender to the expertise of our health professionals and to the power of prayer.

I have also recited in my mind those famous words spoken by Dylan Thomas in dedication to his ancient father; and I have in turn repeated these words to all cancer sufferers in exhortation of their own struggle:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Live life to the fullest even as insurmountable odds seem to be before you. We are all cheering you on. We are all hoping that ‘cancer can be beaten’ isn’t just a catchy motto, but rather an apt result of the fight you are fighting today and any one of us may have to fight tomorrow.

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