Seeds of Hope: Walking alongside patients on the Prostate Cancer Pathway
Three years ago, Glen Ertell and his wife Val lost their 43-year-old son, Jeff, to oral cancer. Not long after, Glen faced a cancer diagnosis of his own.
“I was surprised and disappointed, but I took it in stride,” he says. “My wife was right there beside me through the whole process.”
Cancer has a way of touching every part of life and family, far beyond a single diagnosis. It’s a reality Glen knows well, and one he has chosen to share through this year’s Seeds of Hope campaign in support of Prostate Cancer Care.
Today, Glen is a prostate cancer survivor. And he’s grateful for the care he received at St. Paul’s Hospital — care made possible through a community of support.
Care that meets people where they are
From the beginning, Glen’s experience was shaped by people who took the time to listen, guide, and walk alongside him.
“The folks at the Leslie and Irene Dubé Urology Centre of Health were extremely helpful,” he says. “They were clear and concise, delivering in-depth information enabling us to make a treatment solution tailored to my situation.”
After his first appointment, Glen and his wife Val left with a great deal of information to process, but also with confidence that they weren’t alone.
Glen’s journey also included access to technology and programs that supported both his treatment and recovery.
From safer diagnostic tools like the Aplio Ultrasound to advanced surgical care with the da Vinci Surgical Robot, donor-supported equipment helped ensure his procedure was as effective and minimally invasive as possible.
“When I was told the ultrasound for the biopsy was significantly safer… that meant a lot,” he says. “And when my doctor said she would be doing the surgery with the robot, I thought that was pretty cool.”
Beyond treatment, Glen found value in community-based learning and support, like the annual Survive & Thrive Prostate Cancer Symposium — a free event where patients and their families learn from speakers and connect with other people living with a prostate cancer diagnosis.
“I was amazed by how many people were at the Prostate Cancer Symposium ,” he says. “I learned so much about things that can help you get along.”
It was there that he began to understand something many patients come to realize over time:
“Your journey’s not ended just because your bloodwork says you’re doing okay. It’s a lifetime thing.”
Seeds of Hope in action
This year, the annual Seeds of Hope campaign is helping strengthen the Prostate Cancer Pathway at St. Paul’s Hospital, supporting care from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
Your gift will fund:
- An updated Interventional Radiology Suite, which will support men living with advanced prostate cancer and help many other patients as well.
- A donor-supported, online Sexual Health Coaching Program known as SHAReClinic, which provides important rehabilitation support to prostate cancer patients, and their partners. This pilot program is part of the national Cancer Care Canada program, and the first of its kind in Saskatchewan!
- Focal Therapy clinical research: Donor-funded NanoKnife technology allows St. Paul’s Hospital to participate in a national research project that is an important early step in understanding how new tech might be used in prostate cancer treatment.
- Ongoing support of the SPHF Survive & Thrive Prostate Cancer Symposium – a free, educational and support forum that supports individuals and families at every stage of the prostate cancer journey.
And thanks to the incredible support of CTR Industrial Investments, every gift is being matched up to $100,000, doubling the impact for patients and families.
Looking ahead, together
Today, Glen is enjoying retirement, spending time with his wife, their five children, and eight grandchildren. He stays active, gives back where he can, and continues to connect with others facing a diagnosis.
“My personal philosophy is that you need to participate,” he says. “I think it’s important to share my story because my family will not be the last to take this journey.”
Through Seeds of Hope, our community is helping ensure that when others do, they are met with the same compassion, dignity, and support.
Together, we are shaping a future where no one walks this path alone.
