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Unique sword built to help the fight against cancer

Apr 20, 2017 | 9:24 AM

NANAIMO — Beating cancer is the fight of a lifetime and a man now living in Nanaimo wants to give patients the ultimate weapon.

It’s a bronzed sword made of wig hair which was first crafted by Ken “Ozzy” Osborn several years ago, when one of his closest friends passed away from cancer. He now takes it to cancer awareness events and will be at Nanaimo’s Real Canadian Superstore on Saturday, April 22. 

“The sword is created to help fight cancer by giving (patients) a weapon,” he said. Besides his friend, Osborn has lost his father and numerous family members to the disease. “Before it comes after me, I’m coming after it.”

Osborn said having people pose with the sword is about fostering a community instead of fundraising money. 

“People get together, they talk, they commemorate, talk about their father or brother who died. It brings a focal point, a clarity and it allows them to feel at ease,” he said.

Getting your photo taken with the sword is free. 

“I couldn’t help my brother when he was dying, so why would I want to try to make money off of it?” he asked. “If you want to give your money, give it to your brother or sister who’s fighting cancer, give it to them. They need it, not me.”

In the few years since he’s bronzed the sword, Osborn has taken more than 300 photos of people with it. He said the plan is to compile the photos into a collage and auction it off with the sword to raise money for cancer research.

“I’ve been placed on this planet to help as many people as I can before I have to leave,” he said of his efforts.

 

spencer.sterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit