Over the past 23 years, Geoff Seigel has witnessed firsthand the expertise and innovation of The Princess Margaret – first as a caregiver, then as a longtime fundraiser, and most recently, as a prostate cancer patient.
It all began in 2002, when two major life events happened for Geoff - his wife Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer and his new marketing agency was hired to promote The Princess Margaret’s very first signature fundraising event, the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. Paula made a full recovery, and Geoff was set on his new career path, which put him up close with the impact of The Princess Margaret every day. The couple became ardent supporters, spending the next twenty years walking and cycling to fundraise over $150,000 for the Cancer Centre.
Then in 2024, after a routine checkup with his family doctor, Geoff was unexpectedly referred to The Princess Margaret himself. "My PSA levels (the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood) were increasing, and rapidly", he recalls. After a physical exam, MRI, and biopsy, Geoff’s diagnosis was confirmed: an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
He carefully considered his two treatment options, consulting with both the radiation and surgical teams, before deciding to go through with a radical prostatectomy with prostate surgical oncologist, Dr. Rob Hamilton.
"Dr. Hamilton is an amazing person. He really made me feel like we were partners working together, and I was an active participant throughout my whole treatment. I knew he had the technical skills as a surgeon, but he was also very human. I really felt like he was emotionally invested in my overall well-being."
Today, Geoff’s made a full recovery with no lasting side effects. "After my surgery, all I could think about was getting better so I could see the Grand Canyon with my wife and kids. Going to Arizona after and climbing to the top of Camelback Mountain with them really made me feel like I could do anything again. I feel so fortunate that my cancer was caught early" says Geoff.
Detecting cancer early can make a huge impact on a patient’s outcome, which is why it’s a top priority for the doctors and researchers at The Princess Margaret. "We've been very much involved in leading the way in the ‘smart screening’ approach, which means identifying patients with risk factors who should start PSA screening early", says Dr. Hamilton.
His goal is to make sure that patients aren’t being overtreated or undertreated, receiving the right care at the right time. "It’s very rewarding to me to see my patients through the process and help them get back to their normal lives." But beyond delivering the everyday care that his patients need and focusing solely on survival, Dr. Hamilton and his team are also working to develop even more effective ways of treating prostate cancer using multiple different drug therapies.
"It’s fundraising programs like the Princess Margaret Home Lottery that help us do the kind of big-picture thinking that get us results 5 and 10 years down the road. Those donations are advancing the work that helps our patients live longer, better lives."
With his new perspective as a cancer survivor, Geoff has a whole new appreciation for the Princess Margaret Home Lottery. "When you buy a Lottery ticket, it’s not just a step closer to a better future for you – it gets cancer patients a step closer to their dream too."
