Joey Payeur
Before three weeks ago, Grant Perreault’s world revolved around First Nations’ youth reaching their goals and the hockey team he works for scoring and preventing goals.
Now he has a much more important goal—conquering his own life-threatening illness.
The assistant coach, assistant general manager, and director of scouting for the Fort Frances Lakers was diagnosed with colon cancer last month.
In response, a benefit spaghetti dinner to help Perreault with his upcoming medical costs has been organized for Saturday, Nov. 23 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Couchiching multi-use facility.
The Fort Frances Community Chest also has stepped forward to lend some financial support.
Perreault, whose regular job as the Akwe:go program co-ordinator at the United Native Friendship Centre here sees him deal with at-risk aboriginal children aged seven-12, now is preparing for the surgery he hopes will be the first step towards the road back to full health.
“Oct. 16 will forever stick in my mind,” said Perreault.
“When I first heard the diagnosis, I was initially shocked,” he recalled.
The emotional impact of the news hit Perreault hard even though he knew something wasn’t right with his health as far back as a year ago.
“Something was not sitting right and, as you get older, you learn to look for the signs of something like cancer,” he noted.
“I tried different medications to see if it was something else,” he said. “But after a regular check-up in early spring, I was referred for a colonoscopy.
“I got it done and found out right away that afternoon it was cancer.”
Yesterday was a crucial day for Perreault, as he travelled to Winnipeg for another consultation to find out which type of surgery he will have to go through.
“They could tell me I just need laparoscopic surgery, which is less invasive and where the recovery is faster, depending on the person,” explained Perreault, who estimated a minimum six-week recovery period from that procedure.
“Or it could end up that I need to have open surgery done here.”
Either way, Perreault said waiting to find out the situation—and for the eventual surgery—is the hardest part.
“I won’t know what stage the cancer is in until they remove the tumor,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll need chemotherapy.
“Everything is up in the air.”
In the meantime, Perreault is feeding off the strength of his colleagues at the UNFC and at the rink—something for which he’s extremely grateful.
“The people at the UNFC have been very supportive,” he declared, specifically citing executive director Sheila McMahon and his supervisor, Judy Lindholm, as well as his co-workers.
“I’m very thankful for them for stepping up to take over my responsibilities.”
That appreciation extends to his hockey work environment, which Perreault credited for providing a much-needed distraction right now—although he is clear he doesn’t want the Lakers to be distracted by his personal battle.
“I need the players to continue to focus on playing hockey and working hard in practice,” he stressed.
“I want them to worry about their teammates and make Fort Frances proud.
“I want them to play for what’s on the front of the jersey.”
For his part, Lakers’ head coach and general manager Wayne Strachan freely discussed his admiration for Perreault, both professionally and personally.
“Grant, in regards to the team, is my right-hand man,” he said.
“We argue like a married couple but in the end, I respect his thoughts and they weight heavily on many decisions I make for the team.
“He tells me he is done every year,” Strachan added. “I usually ignore him and give him a list, and he does it.
“He says I will be lost without him if he ever did go. He is probably right. . . .” Strachan admitted.
“Grant puts in endless hours into helping this organization be first-class both on and off the ice with the players he recruits.”
Strachan said he was stunned with the news of Perreault’s illness.
“I was in shock and denial,” he recalled. “I thought he was pulling my leg.
“I’m very worried about him, and hope, pray, and wish him the best of luck in the next few months in beating it,” Strachan continued.
“One thing I can truly say about Grant, whether it is about our job together or our friendship—he is loyal and there for a guy when you need him the most.”
Strachan and Perreault’s partner, Sharlene Gilbert, are spearheading the Nov. 23 benefit dinner. Their efforts, and the support of the many community members he has spoken with, has overwhelmed the normally private Perreault.
“I’m very appreciative of everything [Strachan and Gilbert] are doing,” said a visibly-moved Perreault.
“I can’t say enough about the people who have expressed their concern for me and my health,” he added. “I am very thankful for the Community Chest for offering to help cover some of the medical costs.
“I did not ask for the benefit. I don’t like the limelight,” he stressed. “But I will show up if I’m able to and give thanks to everyone.”
The next few months represent the biggest challenge of Perreault’s life, but he deemed himself ready to face the fire.
“I’m very, very optimistic that when they get the tumor, I will be cancer-free,” he vowed.
“I’m a very positive person,” he added. “I hope to be back in full swing sometime at the start of the new year.”
Tickets for the benefit cost $10 for adults and $7 for children 10 and under, with advance sales preferred to help with planning.
They will be sold at the Lakers’ home game tomorrow night against the Dryden Ice Dogs and on Nov. 22 versus the Wisconsin Wilderness.
For anyone wanting to support Perreault, but who is unable to attend the dinner, a table for donations also will be set up during the games.
