Thornhill’s Fred Levine loved writing and illustrating stories about his family — which includes four children, three of whom are triplets — long before his diagnosis with brain cancer three years ago. Since then, he’s turned his hobby into a passion, and one serving a greater cause.
“Illustrating and writing have been like therapy for me,” said Levine.
Levine has been undergoing treatment at the Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Tumor Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital. Filled with positive things to say about the Pencer centre, Levine decided that he’d give back to them in the best way he knew how — and that’s what led to the release of his book Triple Trouble: One Good Deed Deserves Another. The book is written in verse and is from the point of view of his eldest daughter, Jordyn.
So far, 100 per cent of the book’s sales have helped to raise more than $3000 for the Pencer centre. Levine says it’s the least he could do: “The Pencer centre is just first class. They have a wonderful reputation.”
Levine says he’s happy to help, and the books (he has future editions planned) are a good distraction from his daily life. Not being able to work since the diagnosis would have been challenging without a hobby.
“I had to keep myself from going crazy,” he said. Now he’s completely immersed in his work. “Sometimes the kids are kind of like, ‘Where’s Daddy?’ And their mom would go, ‘Oh, he’s downstairs colouring.’ It’s just like I’m another kid.”
He said his family has been very supportive and held up strongly throughout the chaos. “They’re proud of me,” he said. “I love these guys. I’ve got four really terrific kids. I really scored.”
The book doesn’t focus on Levine’s illness at all, but with its message of paying it forward, the story is still a strong reflection of his journey. “When you help someone out / You get this great feeling / Your head grows so big / It reaches the ceiling / And it doesn’t end there, / ‘Cause they feel it too, / And they’ll pass it along, / To somebody new. / Here is my point, / And it’s not so outrageous, / When you do something nice, / The effect is contagious.”
The book is available for purchase on the Pencer Centre’s website, www.pencerbraintrust.com.