06/05/2026
For this year's Cancer Survivor Day on June 7th, we are highlighting our Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Jon Courtade. You can read his beautiful words and story below. 💜
"As an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, you never expect your own health to become the emergency you must navigate. My name is Jon Courtade, and in April 2025 at 30 years old, I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Seminoma.
In my situation, an unexplained lower‑right back pain led me to request a CT scan because I suspected a kidney stone. Instead, the imaging revealed a more concerning finding. Testicular cancer is often detected early enough for an orchiectomy to remove a malignant mass before it spreads, but further testing confirmed the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. This resulted in a far more complex treatment journey, including: 18 bloodwork appointments, 3 surgical procedures, 7 CT scans, 2 ultrasounds, 93 hours of infusion time and a total of 101 days spent in a medical appointment of some kind.
Survivorship is often viewed as a personal journey, but in reality, it reaches far beyond the diagnosed individual. My journey also belongs to my wife, family, friends, and the many medical professionals who stood beside me. Each of them carried their own version of this experience, shaped by worry, hope, responsibility, and a desire to help. I am profoundly grateful to Munson Healthcare and the incredible staff at the Cowell Family Cancer Center for the care, compassion, and expertise they provided throughout my treatment.
I want people to know that paying attention to unusual symptoms and advocating for yourself can be life changing. Early action truly matters. My experience showed me that patient access is something you feel in very real ways. It can determine whether you understand your next steps or feel lost, whether treatment moves forward quickly or gets delayed, and whether you walk into each appointment feeling supported or overwhelmed. Access is what makes long-term survivorship possible.
Working for the Grand Traverse County Health Department has given me a deeper appreciation for the systems and people who protect the health of our community. Going through cancer firsthand strengthened my belief in the importance of accessible, coordinated, and compassionate public health services. I am grateful to be part of an organization that supports this work every day, and I am proud to return to my role with an even stronger commitment to helping our community stay prepared, informed, and healthy."
