When Alex Meyer does something, he goes all out or not at all.
The Chemainus firefighter and paramedic has always been grateful for all the support and medical care he received during a difficult journey toward becoming cancer free after a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma that lasted 904 days.
In order to show his appreciation for the efforts of everyone who helped him, he elected to do a fundraiser for the Cowichan District Hospital’s chemotherapy unit.
Related story: Firefighter who beat cancer this year giving back through fundraiser
And he didn’t make it easy on himself. Meyer decided on a stair climb of the hose tower at the Chemainus fire hall in full firefighter gear.
“It was something that I had planned back in November,” he said. “And with work and moving I wasn’t able to do them until January, a week or so before moving.”
But he kept his commitment and set an initial goal of raising $2,500 that was easily surpassed.
“It was great, I did one vertical stair for every dollar raised, so 3,000 stairs up and 3,000 down,” Meyer confided. “I was able to complete it in full gear in just under two hours which was great, considering I didn’t train at all for it. I have a knack for hardcore endurance type workouts, apparently.
“It was a good time, we had numerous other members helping to pace me and motivate me, and we had members kids/families who joined in on it. Overall, it was a fun experience and I’ve now set the bar, with the hopes that someone will break my record!”
There probably won’t be anyone quite as willing to surpass that feat since it’s beyond the capabilities of the average person. And that’s what makes Meyer such an above-average person with a super big heart to help others after all he’s been through.
Meyer spent hundreds of days battling cancer in the chemotherapy unit and doesn’t mince words that if it wasn’t for the wonderful staff he might not even be here.
He hopes the money raised can provide snacks, blankets, better chairs, televisions or whatever’s needed to make things more comfortable for those spending time in the unit.
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don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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