Robert Hemlow has been battling cancer for a second time. That includes multiple rounds of radiation treatment. Sure he’s tired, but you won’t hear him complain.
“A little fatigue but a lot of people have it worse than me,” said Hemlow. “So if I can carry on, I carry on.”
Despite his own struggles, Hemlow finds energy to help others battling a different illness – an invisible one that has affected many people in his life, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“I want to help out. I want to help my brothers and sisters because that’s what we do,” said Hemlow.
Hemlow spent 27 years in the military, had a job with Calgary’s police force and is now working with the Selkirk Mobile Crisis Unit.
Hemlow has seen the devastating affect of PTSD and wants to make a difference in the fight for awareness. Part of his mission is to make sure people get the help they need, both those affected directly and their loved ones. Also a driving force is his goal to save lives.
“This has taken a lot of lives of people who don’t need to lose their lives if we can get the awareness and that out,” said Hemlow.
He and others from the local Tri-Service Military Veterans Association have made PTSD awareness and fundraising a priority. The group donated $20,000 last year to organizations like Courageous Companions – which trains service dogs for people who have PTSD and Wounded Warriors.
“Everybody thinks it’s military, or police, or first responders,” said Hemlow. “But you can also have seen an accident or something like that and you have it and don’t realize you have it.”
PTSD can affect people who have witnessed something traumatic, have been sexually abused or physically injured in an accident. And the symptoms can include depression, anxiety, chronic pain, at times even addiction and personality changes.
Canadian Country singer Jessie Tylre Williams can’t say enough about Hemlow. The two connected last year before her fundraising concert in Winnipeg in support of PTSD awareness.
“He spoke at our gala, he emceed our gala he volunteered at our gala, he connected me to people,” said Tylre Williams.
She was instantly drawn to Hemlow, a humble, strong force who was eager to help. “He’s got such a humble spirit,” said Tylre Williams.
“He’s had so many struggles of his own and he just puts that stuff aside and puts everybody else first.”
Hemlow is quick to bring his fellow veterans to the forefront when it comes to hearing praise.
They’re also top-of-mind even during his cancer treatments. A man determined as ever to help bring attention to PTSD.
Hemlow admits there’s a lot of work to do to erase the stigma that comes with the disorder. Not to mention the need to encourage people to open up and talk about it.
“Maybe there was something, one little thing this person didn’t know that could have saved a life,” said Hemlow.
“The wives, husbands, boyfriends, partners, they all have an emotional stake.”
Hemlow has completed his final round of radiation and is eager to dedicate more time to the cause.
Better Winnipeg is a weekly feature on Global News that highlights people and events that make the city a better place to live. Send your story ideas to betterwinnipeg@globalnews.ca