When BayToday last checked in with Verdon (Vern) Vaillancourt, he had been spreading the word about his journey battling throat cancer. Vaillancourt, a multi-talented fellow, had just returned to playing hockey shortly after completing radiation treatments in Sudbury.
On Wednesday, at North Bay City Hall, Vaillancourt was pleased to be named the 2017 Relay For Life Honorary Survivor. It was another of his talents, as a musician, that Vaillancourt focused on while addressing the spirited crowd gathered on a blustery April night.
Vaillancourt echoed Mayor Al McDonald's earlier sentiments concerning the too-soon passing of revered local musician Jim Harney last week. Vaillancourt also solemnly acknowledged the damage that cancer has done to all of our families, and especially the North Bay music scene, as close friends Steve Clarke and Barry Green have also recently perished due to cancer-related illnesses as Harney had.
Community members lit luminaries outside City Hall in honour of family and friends touched by cancer and a moment of remembrance was led Canadian Cancer Society's Gil Pharand, accompanied by a group of fine ukulele players.
Said Vaillancourt in his remarks after accepting the baton from 2016 Honorary Survivor Rhiannon Buffet, "In the end, I'm a lucky man. My cancer was eminently treatable and I did not face this journey alone. I've had friends and family who haven't been so lucky. I don't know why this is, and it's hard not to feel guilty sometimes. Why did I get better and someone else did not?"
Vaillancourt pledged to lead a team with a musical slant in this year's Relay For Life to honour the fallen. According to the North Bay & District Canadian Cancer Society, the event "challenges teams to fundraise and take turns walking or running around a track to meet individual distance goals and show their support for people living with cancer. Funds raised through Relay For Life help fund Canada's most promising cancer research and vital support services for cancer patients and their families."
In the last 16 years, local residents have raised more than $3.5 million towards research and support services for North Bay and area patients. In 2016 alone, 202,400 Canadians were diagnosed with cancer.
Now nine months after his first all-clear from the disease, Vaillancourt says that at three months post-treatment, the fear he had "started to build disappeared," and he "settled in for what will be a one- to two-year full recovery.
An emotional Vaillancourt, a recent grandfather, expressed his gratitude to his wife and loved ones who helped him through the ordeal. He said he is thrilled to be back playing the folk and acoustic music that he loves once again, especially since his treatments presented some initial challenges, including complete loss of voice.
"As a singer, it was terrifying feeling my voice disappearing during treatment. Nine months later and it is still changing daily. The silver lining in this, is that it has made me a better guitar player, playing around with my new limits and ranges, and as my voice slowly returns, it looks like it may be richer than ever," said Vaillancourt.
The 2017 North Bay Relay For Life will be held June 23 at CFB North Bay. To register as a team, individual, survivor or for volunteer opportunities, contact the Canadian Cancer Society at 705.472.9072 or register online at relayforlife.ca
