Don Helgeson holds one of just two remaining Sea Wolves Cancer Packs created last year. Fifty additional packs will be filled shortly. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Cancer advocacy

Local advocates create care backpacks for men battling cancer

Aug 15, 2023 | 5:50 AM

NANAIMO — What started out as a small gesture to help male cancer patients feel acknowledged and more comfortable during their treatments has taken on a life of its own.

Don Helgeson and Greg Brown of Nanaimo, both prostate cancer survivors, addressed what they saw as a void in helping men during their time of need through their Sea Wolves Men’s Cancer Pack initiative.

Following successful fundraising in conjunction with Nanaimo’s Wolf Brewing Company last year, 20 backpacks filled with care items for men battling cancer were created and handed out throughout Vancouver Island, with only two remaining.

Helgeson, who was diagnosed nearly two years ago and later underwent surgery, said donations geared toward men recovering from cancer at Nanaimo hospital are lacking.

“There is a gap where men who are going through treatment aren’t receiving anything,” Helgeson told NanaimoNewsNOW during a recent interview at his home.

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(L-R) Local cancer advocates Don Helgeson, Wayne Peddie and Greg Brown. (Submitted photo)

Helgeson, a local representative of the North American support community Man Up to Cancer, was inspired by the group’s cancer backpack idea and pushed to have something similar on the Island.

Strong demand and exceedingly successful fundraising covered costs for 50 additional backpacks to contain items like a blanket, toque, ear plugs and a water bottle to be filled shortly and handed out in the weeks and months ahead.

Helgeson welled up in tears referencing a man who told his wife prior to passing away from colon cancer how he felt like he mattered after receiving a Sea Wolves Cancer Pack.

He relayed a statement from a Nanaimo hospital oncology unit employee regarding the impact the cancer packs had, who reported: “It was a pleasure for nursing staff to distribute them to patients who really needed them, and see how much it lifted their spirits and put smiles on faces. They were truly grateful.”

Stating his personal prostate cancer journey is far from over, Helgeson said he will continue advocating hard for cancer awareness, particularly prostate cancer.

“I was 51-years-old and I didn’t know what the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer were,” the retired RCMP officer said. “Now I have the opportunity to get the word out to people and also to provide comfort to people going through the same thing I went through.”

Helgeson emphasized the importance of men getting a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA test) to help find prostate cancer as early as possible.

Sea Wolves Cancer Packs have been well received since the program launched last year. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Requests for a Sea Wolves Cancer Pack can emailed to: seawolvesmenscancer@gmail.com.

On Sept. 23 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., a fundraiser for Sea Wolves Men’s Cancer Pack will take place at Wolf Brewing Company.

The event includes a panel discussing unique men’s cancer issues, while food trucks will be on hand, a silent auction will take place and 50/50 draw, with all proceeds supporting male cancer patients in the Nanaimo area and throughout Vancouver Island.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes