Published, October 2022
A Journey Fueled by Hope
Gary Smockum was preparing for the holidays in 2015 when his doctor called with the recent test results. At just 62 years old, Gary was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and life as he knew it changed in an instant.
“I was healthy, I was working, I had plans,” Gary remembers. “And then, suddenly, I had cancer.”
Gary was immediately referred to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre’s (RVH) David and Catherine Hudson Regional Cancer Centre, (HRCC) for surgery and radiation therapy. He underwent 33 rounds of radiation, considered the gold standard of treatment at the time. While the cancer still lingers today, advancements in care at RVH have helped Gary manage his condition and maintain hope for the future.
“That’s what RVH has given me: hope,” he says.
Gary is one of the many patients who will benefit from the new PET-CT scanner at RVH — a powerful imaging tool that helps detect cancer earlier and track how it responds to treatment. It’s a significant addition to the HRCC’s cancer care program, especially for patients like Gary who require ongoing monitoring. With RVH being the only hospital between Newmarket and Sudbury offering this technology, it’s a game changer for patients across the region.
“I get to watch my grandkids grow up because of the care I’ve received at RVH. That means everything.”
In the years since his diagnosis, Gary has relied on RVH for more than cancer care. He’s also been treated for a virus around the heart, experienced a blackout episode, and received a pacemaker. Each time, RVH has been there.
“I’d only been to the hospital once in my life before I turned 62,” he says with a smile. “Now, I feel like I live there. But I’m grateful every day.”
Gary and his wife have two children and four granddaughters. Spending time with them is what keeps him going — and what makes access to expert care close to home so important.
“I get to watch my grandkids grow up because of the care I’ve received at RVH,” he shares. “That means everything.”
A long-time donor to RVH, Gary started giving more than a decade ago, well before he ever became a patient. He believed then, as he does now, that local healthcare is vital to the community’s future.
“I’ve always believed in supporting RVH,” he says. “Both of my kids were born there. And I know the care I’ve received — the technology, the expertise — wouldn’t be possible without donors.”
Gary continues to live with cancer. But he also continues to live with purpose, surrounded by family, and supported by a regional health centre that’s growing alongside its community.
“This isn’t just about me,” Gary says. “It’s about everyone in Simcoe-Muskoka who might need this care — today or tomorrow.”
Inspired by Gary’s Story?
Because of donors, more patients, like Gary, get the specialized, lifesaving care they need close to home. Your generosity makes stories like this possible.
Help write the next one—make a gift today!