Lung cancer survivor, Notley slam Danielle Smith over cancer comments
As someone living with stage four lung cancer, Dave Nitsche says Danielle Smith does not know the first thing about the disease.
He’s criticizing the perceived front-runner in the UCP leadership race for her recent controversial comments about cancer being manageable and in a patient’s control in the initial stages of the illness.
“When Danielle Smith's comments came out, about how the three stages of cancer were within someone’s control – they are not. I started shaking. I was so angry, I lost sleep over it,” Nitsche said during a news conference Friday with the NDP leader Rachel Notley.
Nitsche reached out to Notley earlier this week after Smith’s campaign video surfaced featuring a discussion with a naturopathic doctor. In the video, Smith agrees that cancer patients share some of the responsibility for their illness.
“When you think everything that built up before you got to stage four and that diagnosis, that’s completely within your control and there’s something you can do about that – that is different,” Smith said.
SMITH NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMMENTS: NOTLEY
Notley told reporters Smith’s explanation of her comments – they were “clearly misunderstood” – and apology in the UCP debate in Medicine Hat were inadequate.
“It was a clear demonstration of an absence of leadership qualities and characteristics,” Notley said. “She first tried to deny the meaning of the clear words that she said – so that was quite frankly quite dishonest. Beyond that, she apologized for the fact that people misunderstood what she was saying.”
Notley also said that Smith should know better given her background as a professional communicator who has worked as a politician, radio host and journalist.
“Her words matter, they have meaning and they had consequences and they had been deeply distressing to tens of thousands of people across this province, and she needs to take responsibility for it.” Notley added.
Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta
NOT ONLY CANCER PATIENT DISGUSTED BY COMMENTS
Nitsche was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2019.
He said he had no idea about his condition prior to that. He was an avid runner and otherwise healthy.
Now, he said his overall health is “pretty good”, but he remains upset at Smith’s prescription for cancer care.
"There is no way that I did anything wrong to bring this upon myself," he said.
Nitsche is not the only cancer patient condemning Smith’s comments. He said cancer support groups, which he is a part of, are just as appalled.
"There were people from multiple different types of political and personal views of it, and they are all disgusted by it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.