For the past decade, I have been fighting two deadly diseases — Crohn’s and intestinal cancer.

I am winning my battle and was coming along until the pandemic pushed me back on medical treatment. But things are back on track and I have not felt better in 10 years.

This came about from doctors and nurses who knew exactly what I was facing. It came about from family and friends who encouraged and inspired me. It came about from traditional elders who taught me how to heal. During my life, I have spent many nights and days in all three Saskatoon hospitals.

I was there so much that I got to know many of the nurses, specialists and doctors on a personal level.

I saw the incredible work they did. At times, miracles occurred right before my eyes. But it was during last year’s killer virus when I saw brave men and women step up.

I worked in the mainstream media for years as a news reporter. It was in those years that I saw incredible acts of bravery by the police, fire departments and paramedics.

Once again, like the medical people, I got to know the front-line emergency workers.

It tended to be the same people who were there for accidents, and criminal incidents, including homicides. Knowing these people is important for members of the media.

There is a level of trust between the media and police. Breaking that trust is like breaking a long-standing tradition.

One of the bravest acts I have ever witnessed happened in Prince Albert.

A fire broke out in one of those old brick three-storey, walk-up apartments. Our media van arrived at the scene just when the city’s fire department pulled up.

The fire was going full blaze on the top floor of the left side of the building. Since the building was brick, it took time for the fire to make its way to other suites.

The camera operator and I started working on the story. We found out the people where the fire started got out and other residents made it out safely. Then, the camera operator told me he thought he saw movement on the far right corner of the building. He zoomed in on the top floor of the building and sure enough, we could see a little hand waving at the window.

The fire chief was there and we asked him to look at the mini screen of the camera, and he, too, saw the little hand waving.

He immediately went to two firefighters who were running a fire truck. They came out wearing a silver outfit along with oxygen tanks.

By then, the fire had made its way down to the second floor. It seemed like time stood still, but finally those two firefighters came bursting out the front door.

One was holding a child wrapped in silver blankets and the other was holding an oxygen mask over the child’s mouth and nose.

It was the life of a seven-year-old boy they saved that day. This was the bravest things I have ever seen. When I spoke with the firefighters, they both said they were only doing their jobs.

This was almost 30 years ago and to this day, I can still remember those two heroes running out of that building with that child.

2020 also taught me it is the average man and woman who stepped up during the pandemic. It must take courage to get up to go to work, so others would not run out of supplies.

These people also have families. Yet, they go to work. In my research of other pandemics and epidemics, I found one commonality, and that is people helping others, even complete strangers.

2020 separated many of us, but also brought many together. My home reserve has been lucky so far as we have not lost anyone to the virus.

This has come from a strong leadership and the people listening to credible news and professionals.

But it is up to each and everyone to take on this virus without fear. We have to stand brave when it really counts.

-Ken Noskye