This is our brother Dave.

Not one person has a bad word to say about Dave. He's bright, intelligent, has a wicked sense of humor and works hard. Has integrity for days, stands up for his family and his colleagues at Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre.

Dave has cancer....again. He's already had a battle that included surgery, and he's recently learned that the disease has spread into new areas of his body.

What comes next is hard, harder than any of us can truly imagine. Dave is going to be scheduled for multiple appointments as his care team research the best course of treatment and recovery for him. Those appointments can be agonizing, long and frustrating.

Then there's treatment. It will be difficult at best, brutal and exhausting at worst. Long days at the cancer center, long drives back and forth, and then the constant learning curve of figuring out how to manage symptoms and what life will look like as he gains his strength back and recovers.

He's already taking a financial hit being off work while he fights for his life. The added stress of dealing with extra expenses, of which there are many, will only make his burden heavier.

We can show Dave what he means to us, that we are with him every step of the way, and that we will back him up the same way he's backed all of us during his career.

This is a chance for us to come together as a Corrections family and support Dave. We always stand with each other. Dave needs us to stand with him, beside him, and keep him in our thoughts during this journey he didn't ask for.

We are truly hopeful that you will consider supporting our brother and our friend during this time.