F Cancer - Together We Are Stronger!

In life we often find ourselves inspired by people who are complete strangers. Complete strangers in the traditional sense only because you never met in person, but yet, through experiences in life you feel completely connected. That is how my family and I felt about Brett Wilson.

You see, my family came to a complete halt in 2000 when our Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Years before our Grandpa Nick fought the same battle and at the time of his first diagnoses he won his battle. We knew what we were in for based on our grandfather’s experience, but fighting cancer is something you can never get use to dealing with. It’s an angry, self-indulgent disease that takes super hero qualities to battle.

In 2001 Brett was also unfortunately diagnosed with prostate cancer. His battle was fought hard and he came out strong and healthy, just like our Dad.

In 2010 we learned that Brett supported F Cancer Embrace Life, and in tribute to his battle wore a bracelet that said ‘f… cancer”. After Dad’s battle and losing our Grandpa Nick from prostate cancer in October 2010, we were inspired to also support F Cancer Embrace Life. In doing so, each of us in the Saunders family proudly wear our bracelets in honour of Dad and Grandpa Nick; a tribute to their lives and tumultuous battles.

Inspired by his savvy business sense and humble personality on CBC’s Dragon’s Den, my family and I continued to be inspired fans of Brett’s accomplishments and contributions.

In November 2010 on a weekend get-away to Toronto, having worked up an appetite from shopping, my girlfriend and I retired to a trendy café for a light lunch and beverages. As we waited for the Maitre’d to show us to our table I saw Brett Wilson. He was right in front of me - an arms length away. Instantly I felt faint and all the words I always thought I would say to him if I ever had the honour to meet him left my brain. I was like a deer caught in the headlights, completely star-struck.

After being seated, my excitement to be in the same vicinity as Brett was growing and I knew that I if I did not take this opportunity to introduce myself to him that I would forever regret allowing the moment to pass me by.

Through my girlfriend’s encouragement, we made our way to Brett and I introduced myself. Telling him how inspired we were of his courageous battle and the battle our family fought with both Dad and Grandpa Nick. I showed him my bracelet – and in Brett’s true-to-nature, beautiful human spirit, he embraced me. Brett said, “This is the most powerful bracelet in the world.”

We felt that he was just as honoured to meet us as we were to meet him. And that’s just the kind of man Brett is – humble and real.

As a successful businessman and philanthropist, Brett has dedicated resources and his personal time to support Prostate Cancer research. It is through his dedication to the end of the disease that we find inspiration of who Brett Wilson is as a human being. Meeting him that day in November was a highlight of my life. An honour that I will not soon forget. An honour I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life.

F Cancer – Together we are stronger!

As Grandpa Nick said, “Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how you feel about yourself.”