The designation of the Walker Family Cancer Centre as the recipient charity for this week’s Canadian Tour Championship in St.
Catharines has taken on added significance for tournament chairman Dave Matthews. Three weeks ago, the 65-year-old St. Catharines resident was diagnosed with cancer. The longtime member of the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club had seemed a little more fatigued in the last few months, but thought nothing of it, given his age and the long hours he had been putting in preparing for this week’s tournament. But one day, his wife Karen called him for dinner while he was watching television. He picked up the remote control and couldn’t figure out how to work it. “All the symptoms were of a stroke, but it wasn’t,†he said. “Cancer had attacked the brain and you start to lose your motor skills and verbal skills.†Doctors at St. Catharines General Hospital discovered the cancer and the father of two grown children, Scott and Todd, has been undergoing radiation treatment at the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton. He has undergone five radiation treatments already and his sixth and final one was scheduled for today. “I feel like a million bucks,†he said. “I feel like I felt three months ago.†Doctors discovered his cancer started with a small tumour in his chest and spread to his brain, lungs and liver. He will speak to doctors next week about his health status and treatment options.
“Statistically, he (the doctor) told me a month ago I had anywhere from a month to a year. We passed a month and I fully expect to get past a second month, but I don’t think about it. Every day to me is just a new challenge.â€