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'I'm not giving up,' says ex-military man with stage three cancer

Matthew Tremblett has a frightful disease: brain cancer. But unlike many similarly afflicted, he doesn't take it lying down. He'll be walking and so should you. He, his wife Aven Tremblett and their two sons are organizing the third annual Brain Tumour Walk, which is being held Sunday at Somba K'e Civic Plaza at 11 a.m.

Yellowknife residents Matthew Tremblett, left, and Aven Tremblett have been together since high school. Matthew was diagnosed with stage three brain cancer in 2011 while living in New Brunswick. Michael Hugall/NNSL photo

They are inviting Yellowknifers to take part. Participants will assemble by the mural dedicated to local artist T-Bo who died of brain cancer in 2014.

The two started the walk in 2014 after returning to Yellowknife from New Brunswick and found that there was a lack of awareness and resources for people in the community living with brain cancer.

"It's something that I would have liked to have when I was first diagnosed. Yes, I have a bunch of family and I have a support network but we were by ourselves," said Matthew. "It was my wife and I and that was it."

In 2016, their initial goal for the first walk was to raise $10,000 but they surpassed expectations and ended up raising $52,000. Building on their initial success, they organized another walk last year and raised $67,000. This year, they hope to raise close to $100,000.

Their son Nathan, 6, has been helping with their fundraising efforts by selling brain tumour stickers, which his class at NJ Mcpherson school will be selling for $1.

"Nathan is incredible," said Aven.

"I feel good that Nathan is very sympathetic," said Matthew. "A very old soul but at the same time I wish both he and (his son) Kristofer never had to go through this. I wish they didn't even know what cancer was but unfortunately they grew up with that."

In 2011, while the couple were visiting relatives in Goose Bay, Nfld. Matthew suffered a grand mal seizure and was later found to have an anaplastic astrocytoma, which is the same type of cancer that killed Canadian musician Gord Downie.

He was in disbelief.

"When I found out there was something on my brain I was shocked, I couldn't believe it," said Matthew.

After the initial turmoil of the diagnosis, the couple began relying on support groups while living in Fredericton, N.B., and Edmonton when they decided to move back to their native Yellowknife.

But coming back home was bittersweet. There were no support groups for people living with brain cancer so the couple took action and started one.

"We were able to list off about 15 people in town with brain tumours, past or present so we knew this was something that wouldn't help just us," said Aven. "As much as the family support is incredible they don't know all of the issues that Matt has. As a care-giver, the relationships I have made through the support group has been incredible."

According to statistics provided by the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services, 31 NWT residents have been diagnosed with brain cancer since the registry began in 1992. There were 10 deaths related to brain cancer from 2000 to 2015.

Unfortunately, Matthew's type of brain cancer is not easily treated, he said, but he is staying strong for his family and enjoys the little moments that make life worth living.

"I just have to keep going for my family, I'm not giving up," said Matthew. "Everything is for my kids and my family I have to do everything for them and make sure that I stay around for them."