Brent Nicol, right, with his wife Jenny. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

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Tri-community raises $7K to support RCMP officer battling cancer

Jan 9, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Brent Nicol, a longtime RCMP officer who is currently battling cancer, said he was overwhelmed by the community support on Tuesday during a steak night fundraiser.

“You don’t always think about everyone who is there to help you when you’re in your time of need,” he remarked.

“It was quite a shock to see the number of people who came out and how giving everyone was in supporting the steak night.”

The first sign of the cancer, which has been identified as multiple myeloma, appeared in August 2024 when a large mass developed overnight on his abdomen. Nicol was formally diagnosed and admitted into hospital on Oct. 30 and treatment began the next day.

“It started out with me with a tumor on my spine that started to affect all of the nerves coming out of my back, so I was in a lot of nerve pain that went down into my legs,” he explained.

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“I was starting to lose the use of my legs to a point the strength was going, so I was starting to have a lot of difficulty getting around.”

Nicol is currently needing to travel to Prince Albert once per week for treatment, which also includes the daily use of medicine and steroids. That treatment will last four months, and he expects chemotherapy will begin in March.

Part of his treatment will also include a stem cell transplant.

Nicol, who has been an RCMP officer for 22 years and who has served in La Ronge for nearly 13, is currently still working at the detachment on administrative duties. As a sergeant, he oversees operations at the station and he is second in command.

Nicol wanted to thank everyone who organized and supported the fundraiser, as well as his wife Jenny, and family and friends who have helped out in recent months.

The steak night fundraiser held at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC) raised close to $7,000, not including personal donations that Nicol received. It was made possible by Logan Fiske and Melissa McKenzie who coordinated the event.

McKenzie noted the time at JRMCC was given free of charge, Jude and Fran Ratt volunteered sound equipment and master of ceremony services, and Cravings Late Night Food offered a discount on the catering. In addition, 24 items were donated for a silent auction which came from individuals and businesses.

Approximately 170 tickets were sold to attend the fundraiser.

“It was absolutely amazing,” McKenzie added.

“It took so much to keep tears back … just because of the community coming together, everyone donating and everyone just being there having fun, breaking bread and being there for Brent and Jenny, and hoping this helps make a small difference in different things they may need.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com