One veteran’s fight with cancer. One family’s search for answers. One wife’s determination to continue the fight for justice.

I Have to Go is a deeply personal account of my late husband Jack’s journey with colorectal cancer and the battle that extended far beyond his diagnosis.

After serving in the Canadian Navy for more than two decades, Jack faced a devastating cancer diagnosis in 2022. As we navigated his illness, we also faced difficult questions about his military service, potential exposure to toxic chemicals, and the recognition and support available to veterans whose health has been affected by their service.

This book tells the story of Jack’s fight, the challenges we encountered, and the emotional toll that illness takes not only on the person diagnosed, but also on the family standing beside them.

But I Have to Go is more than a story about cancer and loss. It is also a story about advocacy, accountability, and the determination to ensure that veterans and their families are heard.

Following Jack’s death, my fight did not end. I continue to speak out about the challenges veterans and their surviving spouses face, including the need for fair compensation, meaningful support, and recognition of the sacrifices made by those who serve our country.

I wrote this book to share our experience, raise awareness, and give a voice to families who may be navigating similar struggles. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story that deserves to be heard.

Jack’s story is ours, but the issues it raises affect many more families.

My hope is that I Have to Go will encourage understanding, spark important conversations, and help bring about meaningful change for Canadian veterans and the people who stand beside them.

Because the fight for justice doesn’t necessarily end when a life does.