I met Steve Smith in 2018 when he attended the first Support Group Meeting I hosted in Hamilton. He learned about the group from an article he read in the Hamilton Spectator, which outlined my bladder cancer journey, and my desire to re-start the Support Group for bladder cancer patients. Steve quickly became a regular attendee, driving in from Beamsville on the fourth Thursday of each month, and helped me tremendously with his presence at the meetings. In 2019/2020, due to COVID, we switched to hosting the support group meetings online and Steve continued to participate and help by sharing his journey with bladder cancer to newly diagnosed patients.
It was clear Steve wanted to give his time to help others affected by bladder cancer, and to volunteer in various ways for Bladder Cancer Canada. Steve began to host awareness tables at the Juravinski Cancer Hospital, St. Joe’s Hospital in Hamilton, and other health and wellness fairs.
Steve also became a Peer Support Volunteer with Bladder Cancer Canada, speaking one-to-one with others facing bladder removal surgery, providing comfort and guidance. He also helped me monitor the Online Discussion Forum to ensure posts remained appropriate, respectful, and free of spam.
Furthermore, over the past two years, Steve joined the planning committee for Canada Walks for Bladder Cancer in Hamilton. As usual, Steve was very active in his role and a great help to me and the committee.
Steve was also heavily involved with the Niagara Ostomy Association, collecting leftover ostomy supplies to send overseas to help people who could not afford these products. Steve organized a Bladder Cancer Canada awareness table at an Ostomy Fair, which helped us strengthen our connections for the support group.
One fond memory of Steve I will keep, is when he and his wife Sharon visited us in Florida a year and a half ago. We had a nice breakfast together before they continued on their journey to their destination.
Sadly, Steve passed away on November 13, 2025. I have many memories of volunteering with Steve and will miss his tremendous help and support. Rest in peace, my good friend. Your help and support have been of immense value and are very much appreciated by the bladder cancer community.
-Alex Huang, fellow BCC Volunteer
