Irwin Barker Update

After mentioning Irwin Barker in my last post, I wanted to check up on him. I first heard about his cancer story in a January 30, 2008 interview with Shelagh Rogers on CBC, which I wrote about in a post on February 1. Barker had been diagnosed with a rare terminal form of cancer the previous June; his doctor had given him 12 months to live. He later did a documentary on CTV about his first year of cancer treatment, and has done performances, including cancer fundraisers, about his cancer experience. He says "cancer can't penetrate your spirit or your creativity...whatever creative gift you have...unless you let it."

It's now been over 2 1/2 years since his diagnosis and he describes it as being "at bay but not in remission". He notes that its "a difficult path being positive and realistic at the same time...it's tough to get that balance".

Here's a thanks to Irwin Barker, who has certainly been one of my inspirations over the past two years.

Wendy