Brendan Smyth's battle with cancer.

Brendan Smyth is an exceptional photographer, an experienced world traveller, a talented musician, an organizational guru, a confidant and mentor, a friend, a husband, brother and son. One of his instagram personas @WhereMyFeetHaveTakenMe shares a fraction of his creative output, but is a great example of how he lives his life - eagerly seeking out his next adventure. Brendan’s feet have indeed taken him many incredible places.


But sometimes your feet take you places you've never wanted to go. 


In 2017, Brendan’s doctor noticed something odd during a routine checkup. Further testing revealed a tumour which was confirmed to be a very rare cancer (solitary fibrous tumour). This type of cancer is so rare and aggressive that doctors have yet to find a cure. Now Brendan’s feet are taking him down a path lined with complications and bad news at every turn.

Never a quitter, Brendan and his wife Arisa decided to do what ever it took to give him a fighting chance. First up was an operation necessary to remove the giant tumour growing in his belly and wrapping around his spine. Complications during this surgery resulted in Brendan almost losing his leg. As a result he was stuck in an intensive care unit for some of the toughest weeks, and then months of his life. During this time it was unsure if he’d keep his leg, let alone use it again.


After months of demanding physical therapy and rehabilitation, Brendan was finally able to walk on his own again. Restoring some normalcy to his new reality, Brendan was able to return to work. Things were beginning to look up, until new tumours were discovered. So the fight continued with more radiation, more treatments, and sadly even more cancer. These tumours are now growing in his bones, which have become so brittle they break with next to no effort, causing him tremendous pain.

Brendan’s path is now heading sharply up hill and the turns are much more frequent. Most recently he has been rushed into surgery to repair a major fracture of his arm, and has had a severe blood clot in his leg. He is now recovering in the hospital after a series of strokes, including one which caused a substantial loss of vision.


Brendan and Arisa were married in 2014. They had two wonderful years of marriage before his diagnosis. Navigating Brendan’s cancer has altered their lives profoundly. Their plans for the future halted. Demands of his treatment and illness have prevented them from regular work and a stable income.

Please consider supporting Brendan & Arisa as they travel the last stretch of their journey together.

All funds raised will go directly to Brendan & Arisa

@WhereMyFeetHaveTakenMe 
@smythphoto 
@smythphoto_bw