My friend John Wagontall was a Fire Fighter in excellent physical condition when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the early age of 46. He learned he had cancer on December 13, 2004. The news to him and his family was devastating. To make matters worse, his uncle, a retired Platoon Chief from our dept. passed away eight days later. His fire hall crew was the first to know. The news quickly spread throughout all the stations. It was impossible to believe as we saw him eat well and ride his bike to work in all sorts of inclement weather. Little did any of us know that because of regular exposure to certain chemicals in our working environment, we would need to be checked for cancer at an early age. That was about to change!

We’d have to accept that prostate cancer isn’t just an old men’s disease—for us as firefighters, we were at higher risk at every age. But guys don’t talk about such things. Nor do we go out of our way to get an annual FULL medical exam. We want to believe we walk away with a clean bill of health, and, let’s face it, a digital exam is just plain humiliating. But when John’s diagnosis got out, many of us went for the exam at John’s insistence. As a result, several of our colleagues learned they too were positive—these men caught it early enough to be successfully treated for it—unlike John’s cancer which was aggressive and had already spread to other organs in his body when he found it. His was inoperable, his treatments severe, and his prognosis bleak—he was given 5 to 7 years with an uncertain future. That was tough on all of us as John was and is young, strong, and takes good care of his health.

Before his diagnosis, John and I worked different shifts at the fire hall, so didn’t get to know each other well. Since he got sick though, we’ve become friends as well as brother Fire Fighters, and it was his cancer that enlarged his circle of friendship. I know John to be a gentle and serious guy, and a man of strong faith in God. He is also a joker with a great sense of humour and enjoys life and his family very much—his humour, optimism, and refusal to give in to cancer have helped him get through his darkest hours. Part of his on-going fight has been his national crusade amongst Canadian Fire Fighters to spread the word about risk and early detection.

Since at least four guys in the Lethbridge Fire Department were tested positive for prostate cancer, John realized there must be many more Fire Fighters in fire halls everywhere with the disease who were planning their lives as if tomorrow would always be there. John began the next phase of his fight not only for himself, but for others. He planned, organized and delivered on a promise to reach as many brothers as he could while also fulfilling his long-held dream of crossing Canada on his bicycle. He’d planned years ago to do the bike tour later in his life, but since cancer came on the scene, time took on new meaning. Since he was out of work on disability, organizing this trip to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer became his full-time mission.

When John made a decision to ride across Canada to speak and raise funds for cancer organizations, he motivated us to help him accomplish his dream. “Cycle For Life” was born. John was about to ride his bike from Victoria to St. John and spread his message to as many people as possible. I have to admit we were all more than a little concerned about his health. After his chemo and radiation, he was now on hormone deprivation therapy to slow the cancer growth. But his faith, determination, and optimism were infectious, and many of us wanted to help in any way we could. His trip preparation was impeccable…and yet the odds against him nearly impossible. But he accomplished what he’d set out to do and even exceeded his own expectations when he was able to cycle 100 to 200 kms per day over and above his daily targets!

My wife and I were privileged to be a part of his support team, spending the first 2 weeks on the road with him (my wife and I were married on May 13th…we flew to Victoria and met him at Mile 0 on May 15th and spent our honeymoon on the road and in fire halls from Victoria to Lethbridge) to be his family when they couldn’t be there. We drove his support RV and helped with his logistics along the way.

As he took on British Columbia, we hugged him when he needed it, prayed with him as he set out each day, felt his exhilaration as each hill and mountain was conquered, and felt his pain as he pushed his body when he was exhausted. Along the way other firefighters joined the ride on bikes and with escorts of emergency vehicles surrounding him at times. He was given a hero’s welcome in some cities with ceremonies and receptions in his honour as cheques were presented and many listened intently to his story at the end of each day. There were many comforting hugs, handshakes and words of encouragement, and secretly, we knew guys would get checked as a result of John’s punishing ride and mission. Strangers were suddenly friends then family and many of them told us to take good care of him as he rode his bike to the next destination.

John often joked that he was turning into a woman as a result of the hormone treatments, experiencing hot flashes and unable to hold back the tears when reaching out with his urgent message of early detection. But I know he also has a soft heart, and he put it out there on the line every time he spoke out. At first it was difficult for John to speak about his cancer in front of a group of men and women and emotions ran high, but he never stopped short of his goal. A quick glance in our direction for support as he started his talk and a wink in return to tell him it would go all right and he was not alone in this.

Prostate cancer. Five to seven years to live. Inoperable. Metastasized. These words strike fear. But John owned them and fought them with every prayer and pedal push across Canada. The impossible became possible for John when he completed his trip in St John’s on July 23, 2006. His story and continued fight inspire my wife and I and all who know him to keep on fighting by getting tested, talking about it and joining together to find a cure.

Anyone interested in John’s story can learn more by visiting his website. I strongly suggest you do. Peruse through the many photos of a ride that led to new friendships, prostate cancer awareness, money raised for cancer research and getting men to openly discuss an issue that so many do not talk about. John’s website is “Cycle For Life”. Please email him, he would like that very much.

The Typically Canadian Group is riding with John Wagontall and everyone who contributed to the success of Cycle For Life...

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