Chris Pestru
Chris is sharing his story to remind others that when something feels off, trusting your instincts and taking action early can make all the difference.
Chris Pestru
Chris is sharing his story to remind others that when something feels off, trusting your instincts and taking action early can make all the difference.
When Everything Changes
Chris Pestru is used to running toward emergencies. As a Windsor firefighter, he’s trained to stay calm under pressure and take control when others can’t. It’s a role built on instinct, strength, and certainty.
But one day, everything changed. At home, Chris suffered a seizure. Within hours, he was in the hospital. A CT scan revealed a right frontal meningioma, and while doctors were confident it was benign, the fear didn’t disappear.
In an instant, everything shifted. The one used to taking control became the one facing the unknown.
Looking back, Chris can see there were signs, subtle changes that didn’t feel urgent at the time. Like many people, he hesitated. Getting checked meant opening the door to something bigger, a series of tests, decisions, and outcomes he couldn’t control. Until there wasn’t a choice anymore.
“The hardest part was the unknown and the lack of control.” Even with reassurance that the tumour was likely benign, the fear didn’t disappear.
Facing The Unknown
Surgery followed quickly. Within days, the tumour was removed successfully. Within days, on Father’s Day, Chris was back home, recovering, surrounded by his family, and beginning to process everything that had just happened.
Through it all, he leaned on his wife and children, finding moments of lightness even in the middle of uncertainty. “We did our best to keep things light and laugh… mostly at me.”
As the weeks passed, Chris slowly worked his way back, rebuilding his strength and returning to work. Follow-up scans brought good news. But what stayed with him wasn’t just the outcome.
“Being brave means moving forward, even when everything in you wants to go back.”
What Stays With You
For Chris, bravery doesn’t look the way people expect. It’s not about being fearless. It’s about controlling your fear and continuing forward, even when everything in you wants to turn back.
Becoming a 2026 Show Us Your Brave Ambassador was, in Chris’ words, a “no-brainer.” He’s sharing his story to remind others of something simple and critical:
Don’t wait. If something feels off, get it checked.
Because sometimes the hardest step is the first one.
Stand with Chris
As a Show Us Your Brave Ambassador, he’s sharing his story to encourage others to trust their instincts, take symptoms seriously, and not delay getting checked when something feels off.
For Chris, speaking openly is about more than reflecting on what he went through. It’s about helping others understand how quickly things can change, and reminding people that taking that first step, even when it feels uncertain, can make all the difference.
By supporting Chris, you’re helping ensure more people in our community have access to exceptional care, close to home — and that no one has to face a diagnosis alone.
