"Randy Steele is a survivor in the best sense of the word. Throughout his ordeal with cancer he has never once complained or asked for special treatment. He's just done the job."

-- Donna Skelly, CHCH News

Real courage is an extraordinary quality. Out of circumstance and unfortunate necessity, Randy Steele demonstrates daily an abundance of it.

But Steele doesn't accept there is anything courageous about his getting the job done, either as a journalist or a father. In Randy's world, you don't make excuses or expect to catch any breaks. Life doesn't owe you anything. So just show up every day and do the best you can for your family, company and community.

That's what Steele did when he ran his own moving and storage business. After that he ran a pool hall and then a promotions and marketing firm, before going to work briefly as a staffer for a Member of Provincial Parliament.

Steele couldn't believe his good fortune when he got hired by CH television, and they actually paid him to do what he loves most - investigating and reporting the news. A blue-collar work ethic and a nose for stories that matter to ordinary people makes him an effective journalist.

In an era of blow-dried television talking heads, Steele is a departure, always opting for substance over style. He can get to the heart of a story without digging dirt.

Particularly in his political coverage, Steele has always been able to ask the hard questions, while continuing to respect and even like the politicians that he covered.

In 2001 Steele found a lump in his throat. The diagnosis was cancer. He continued to work on television through the initial radiation treatments, and the doctors were encouraged by the clinical results. But in 2003, the cancer returned.

After surgery and more radiation, Steele returned to on-air reporting, despite the obvious physical impairment the treatments had left on his appearance and voice. The response from viewers to Steele's brave performance was universally positive and affirming.

Unfortunately, Steele's throat cancer reoccurred this past December and his doctors were forced to remove his voice box. He is scheduled for yet another round of radiation shortly. After that he will get a voice prosthesis to allow him to communicate better verbally.

Despite continuing adversity, Steele remains positive about his health and the future. In his words "I am in too deep to give up. I'm optimistic."

While resigned to a career change because of the loss of his voice, he is hopeful he can continue in journalism, either by writing or in management.

Steele's passion for telling stories about Hamilton has found a creative outlet in an online photo journal he has developed -- steele- citysnapshots.blogspot.com.

Perhaps just as importantly, Steele has had more time to spend with his remarkable wife Maggie and their four daughters. The cancer has brought them closer as a family. Randy says he appreciates the little things more than ever, like time together and hugs. Before his last surgery he was buoyed by a note from one daughter that said simply "I have faith."

Steele is grateful for the support he continues to receive from management and colleagues at CHCH, as well as for the kindness of many strangers who have taken the time to offer him encouragement. Mostly, Steele hopes that his experience will create hope and inspire our community to redouble efforts to eradicate cancer.

This weekend in Ancaster (and across the country over the past month), teams of families and friends of cancer survivors are participating in a 24-hour Relay for Life to raise funds towards a cure. Randy would like all of us to join him in getting that job done.

terry_cooke@sympatico.ca