Norman Wong was a young photographer at the beginning of a promising career when a diagnosis swiftly shifted his focus. Days after finding a lump on his neck, at just 27 years old, he was diagnosed with stage 2 testicular cancer. “I couldn’t believe it,” said Norman. “I remember hearing that ringing sound in your ear that you hear when you’re just completely in shock.”
Tests revealed that the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes and intestines. Luckily, he was referred to The Princess Margaret and placed under the care of oncologist, Dr. Philippe Bedard. Within two days he began treatment. “I was very lucky because I really connected with my doctors and my nurse Rebecca McKinney,” he said. “I felt very safe in their hands—they’re really good people and I felt very lucky to be under their care.”
For the next two years, Norman took a complete pause to focus on treatment. “Cancer shut everything down,” he said. “I was just at the beginning of my career and then this happened, and I lost all momentum.” But Norman saw the silver lining; “I needed that break to recalibrate my thinking, my focus, and my priorities,” he said. “It made me focus on the most important things in life: my relationships with family and friends.” After an initial surgery and four rounds of chemotherapy, Norman underwent a final surgery to remove scar tissue that the cancer had left behind. “My chances of having a kid would have been almost zero if that surgery went wrong,” he said.
Today, Norman is a husband, a father and one of Canada’s greatest creative forces. He’s an award-winning photographer and director who’s shaped some of the world’s most influential brands and lensed countless iconic celebrities including Drake, Cindy Crawford, the Wu Tang Clan and Gord Downie. But his biggest accomplishment is his son Lius. “He’s just amazing. He’s a beautiful person; he’s hilarious and so full of character,” said Norman. “Jules and I are so thrilled.”
Thanks to programs like The Princess Margaret Home Lottery more patients are thriving after grave cancer diagnoses. “We’re so lucky to have The Princess Margaret in our city and in our country,” said Norman. “The doctors and the staff are truly leaders in their industry…I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”