Bradley Slater

Hi, my name is Bradley and this summer will be nearly 3 years since my partner, Janette, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A (MEN2a for short). Not only was she diagnosed with MEN2a, but she was also diagnosed with Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) which is a byproduct of this disease. This situation is so rare, only 4% of all thyroid cancers are diagnosed as MTC and she has required specialist treatment ever since, not to mention being diagnosed at only 24 years old! She will require close lifetime monitoring. Since her diagnosis in November 2023, Janette has undergone 1 surgery removing her adrenal glands, 1 surgery removing her thyroid and parathyroids, and she has recently undergone a third surgery earlier this year to go more intrusively into the neck to remove more lymph nodes. All of these surgeries have required extended stays in Halifax as PEI does not have the capacity to handle such a unique case - well, for now at least. Outside of these surgeries, Janette now has 3 specialists she meets with regularly. 1 located in the QEH, 1 in Halifax, and another that travels to PEI from Halifax once a year, making it difficult for basic procedures like blood work to be accurately and timely shared with everyone. Whilst on the topic of blood work, Janette goes every 3 months for bloodwork and biannually for ultrasounds & PET/CT scans, all of which require adaptations to both our personal schedules. She often has to request test results herself to pass along to her specialist in NS as provinces don't currently share information easily with each other. In order to support positive change, on Sunday August 23rd 2026, I will be taking part in a 5km walk as part of Michelle Hughes' annual "Just Live Fun Run 2026" event: a 1km, 5km, and 10km walk/run to support cancer research. I will be wearing full firefighter bunker gear and carrying my self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The decision for doing this is fourfold: Firstly, Janette's diagnosis has been life changing for the both of us and we really need to bring awareness to all types of cancer and the impact it has on survivors and their immediate families. Carrying the SCBA is a visible reminder to the invisible weight we all carry when a loved one is diagnosed. Secondly, as volunteer firefighters, we are at an enhanced risk of being diagnosed with a work-related cancer. Every single member of the service across this province accepts this risk daily to help others and I feel it is a huge failure to not have the appropriate services here for them when they need it. Thirdly, nobody should be put under financial or professional strain due to a sudden health diagnosis. Too many people need to travel off Island everyday to access specialized treatment, involving spending large amounts of money and taking personal vacation time in the process. If this money can go towards a new piece of equipment, or finish a substantial upgrade in the Cancer Treatment Center to mitigate the amount of off Island care, this would be amazing for everyone involved during the cancer diagnosis and treatment process. Finally, I had the painful experience since Janette's diagnosis of losing both of my darling parents. Sylvia fought bravely for 18 months against an advanced colon cancer and the love of her life, Terrence (known to all who loved him as Terry or Ted) died just a few weeks ago, suffering with lung cancer that had metastasized. This walk will be just as much about their memory as well as our community's future. Any donation would be so incredibly and graciously received, and we know it would be put to good use helping to improve the Provincial Cancer Treatment Center and the QEH, as these are the first port of call for everyone in this province diagnosed with a serious/complex cancer. Thank you for taking the time to read!