Former New Brunswick radio host's new book sheds light on cancer treatment
Dave Morrell is known for his voice and support of local sports in New Brunswick, but these days the former broadcaster is using his cancer diagnosis to connect with others.
Morell recently penned a book documenting his cancer journey and the experiences of his family members.
'Hit the Switch', a nod to his radio career, references advice he received early on that, no matter what's going on in life, when he walked into the studio and hit the on-air switch, he had to put those feelings behind him to be 100 per cent for the audience listening.
Nine of his family members contributed a chapter each, and its contents remained a secret from each other until the book was published.
“The chapters in the book are very heartfelt, it's a bit of a rollercoaster of emotion," says Morrell, who is battling stage four cancer.
"There's some tears in it, there's some laughter in it, but above all, there's hope in it and that's what it's all about. A cancer journey is not easy."
Morell says he couldn't find a lot of resources that spoke to him in the early days of his diagnosis, so he decided to write one.
The Chalmers Foundation and Morell saw an opportunity to work together and share his story with oncology patients at the local hospital.
"The more tools and resources we can make available to patients, the better it is. He had talked to the team, the oncologists and the team in oncology (to discuss) is this something that would help?” says Gilles Allain, executive director of The Chalmers Foundation.
“So, of course, it would, and they took it upon themselves to start writing it, piecing it together."
Funds from the sale of the book will go right back to the oncology ward at Fredericton’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.
They will be made available to patients and their families at the cancer unit free of charge.
Morell is doing well despite his challenging diagnosis. Some days he feels like a seven.
After being asked multiple times a day 'How are you feeling?' Morrell came up with a solution.
“We have a whiteboard on our refrigerator and I wrote across the top 'how I'm feeling today' on a scale of one to 10 and I put a number on that board every morning," he says.
"Right now my condition is stable, I have been since I began in July of 2018."
Morrell is undergoing immunotherapy, a drug treatment that puts your own immune system into overdrive and teaches it to fight cancer.
His book, 'Hit the Switch' will officially launch via an online stream from the Fredericton Public Library on June 22.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.