Cancer Survivor Donates $110K After Losing Father and Brother

Bob Charron knows the devastating price of skipping doctor visits. He lost both his father and brother to prostate cancer because they refused to see doctors, a tragedy that fuels his mission today.

Now a cancer survivor himself, Charron stood outside the BC Cancer Centre in Kelowna this week with a check for $110,000. The donation will fund research into better treatments and help spread a life-saving message: get screened early.

"I have a personal investment in it," said Charron, who chairs the Okanagan chapter of Motorcycle Ride for Dad. "Although we have terrific treatments available for early stages of cancer, we've got to get the word out."

Charron received his own prostate cancer diagnosis 11 years ago at the same Kelowna cancer center where he now advocates for others. After treatment, he's been cancer-free for more than six years.

The $110,000 came from last year's Motorcycle Ride for Dad campaign, with $60,000 from the British Columbia chapter and $50,000 from the Yukon chapter. The funds will support Dr. Juanita Crook, a radiation oncologist who specializes in brachytherapy, a targeted radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

Dr. Crook plans to use the donation for genetic profiling research that identifies which patients face the highest risk of cancer returning. "You're looking for trends, you're looking for questions, you're looking for answers, and you can only do that through research," she explained.

The Ripple Effect

Charron's tragedy turned mission reveals a troubling gap in men's healthcare. About 85 percent of women get regular mammograms and cervical cancer screenings, but only 22 percent of men get tested for prostate cancer.

"We need to increase that substantially to make a big impact because you're investing in your future," Charron said. He recommends men start getting a simple PSA blood test at age 40.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men, making early detection critical. When caught early, treatment options are highly effective.

Charron's personal loss transformed into a powerful force for change, potentially saving countless families from experiencing the same heartbreak.