A retired news leader in eastern Ontario is battling cancer for a second time - and he's getting some words of encouragement from Cornwall fans.
Max Keeping, 71, the former anchor for CJOH News in Ottawa, has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and doctors say he could be out of the spotlight and bed-ridden for six months while he recovers. Most of the organs he uses to process waste, including his rectum, bladder, anus and prostate, will be removed in a surgery planned for next week.
"Max said he'll be back in three months," said Gilles Latour, a partner of Keeping's "Play to the Max" program which was launched locally earlier this year. "I found out about two months ago.
"The doctors said six months, but Max said he'll be back before that."
Keeping was officially diagnosed this summer but came out publicly to help draw awareness to the plight of those grappling with the disease. He's already beaten prostate cancer.
"It's devastating news, to say the least," said Latour. "But this is about awareness, right? It makes you think - no one is invincible."
The Canadian Cancer Society says some 23,300 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year and more than 9,000 will be killed by the disease.
Support for Keeping has been coming in via online donations in his name to the Scotiabank/Telus Nordic Walk for Cancer Survivorship. Check out www.ottawacancer.ca/Max.aspx.
