Joe Beneteau
Meet Joe Beneteau
Walk into any room he’s in, and you’ll feel Joe’s presence. His wit and booming laugh pull people together, brightening every room he enters. Joe’s life was changed forever when he heard the words “You have cancer”, yet his charisma continues to fill any room he enters.
Throughout Joe’s treatment, he frequently heard the song Goin Through Hell by Rodney Atkins. He’d hear it on the radio during commutes to appointments or in waiting rooms. It became the soundtrack to a difficult chapter in his life.
“If you’re goin’ through hell, keep on going. Don’t slow down. If you’re scared, don’t show it. You might get out before the devil even knows you’re there.”
At first, it was just a catchy line in a country song. But soon, those words became something more – a mantra, a lifeline, and a reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
A Long Road, But Never Alone
In August 2006, after finding swollen lymph nodes, Joe was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. At 33 years old, his whole world was turned upside down.
Treatment began quickly at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre. Four rounds of outpatient chemotherapy were followed by two extremely intense inpatient rounds, each requiring a week-long stay at Windsor Regional Hospital – Met Campus. His care team was tireless, and the genuine care for all patients at the Windsor Cancer Centre was evident through the small gestures: a simple good morning, a welcoming smile, or even the cookies and candy available in the waiting room. Those little moments helped make the unthinkable a little more bearable.
The goal of his aggressive treatment was clear: preparation for an allogeneic stem cell transplant. This kind of transplant required a stem cell donor. As luck would have it, two of Joe’s siblings were perfect matches. With the guidance of the oncologist that Joe credits with saving his life, Dr. Caroline Hamm, he successfully underwent a stem cell transplant in Hamilton.
Hamilton became a version of “home” as Joe and his wife made a difficult decision: it would cost less to rent a small apartment for an entire month than to continue staying in short-term accommodations. While the care in Hamilton was exceptional, the distance from home took its toll. Recovery was challenging – isolated in an unfamiliar city, separated from loved ones and his support system, and burdened by the cost of travel and temporary housing.
Throughout his travels to treatment, and his aftercare trips up the highway, the words of that Rodney Atkins song would find him again—on the radio, in his head, on the hard days. The words reminded him of who he was and the personal strength he had to draw upon to face each new challenge.
“No one should have to navigate cancer alone.”
While Joe’s journey was personal, he knows the relatable feeling of battling through something immense was a universal human experience. He is a father, a brother, a husband, and a man who knows the loneliness that comes with a long highway between you and your support system and the financial burden that tags along, quietly and relentlessly.
Now an ambassador for Show Us Your Brave, Joe uses his voice to ensure no one feels alone. Connection is the medicine they don’t prescribe, and it’s that connection with community that has the power to offer vital support, lift someone’s spirit, and remind them they are never, ever alone.
Show Your Support for Joe
Joe Beneteau is one of three 2025 Show Us Your Brave Ambassadors. Alongside Maria Barile and Lisa Shulman, Joe is sharing his story to raise funds and awareness for cancer patients in our community. Your generous support for Joe ensures patients will continue to receive world class cancer care close to home.