John Sexsmith helps build the future of cancer care — one donor at a time.
By Alex Rettie
Photographs by Ryan Parker
With a career of 35 years in journalism, John Sexsmith had already made a lasting impression when he joined the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s philanthropy team specializing in legacy giving in 2023. Now, the former Global TV sports anchor is building a different kind of personal legacy — a legacy of hope.
Sexsmith was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, and underwent a prostatectomy surgery. That was followed by radiation treatment at Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute (Cross). “I’m indebted to the medical professionals who treated me,” he says.
That sense of indebtedness is what led him to apply to the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “I wanted to give people with a cancer diagnosis more hope,” he says. And his work with legacy donors gives him the opportunity to do just that.
“Legacy giving is about seeing the big picture. When someone gives to the Alberta Cancer Foundation in a planned way, that lets the Foundation plan as well. It lets us pave the way for the future of excellence in cancer treatment.”
Sexsmith’s extensive journalism and community engagement experience has been a great asset in his donor stewardship work. The efforts of the legacy philanthropy team contribute so much to making the amazing support the Alberta Cancer Foundation provides possible. “I know the value of connecting with people, and this work is all about building connections with donors,” he affirms.
Sexsmith works with more than 300 donors, most of whom have some experience with cancer either as survivors or as family members. “They’re really motivated to help others in the same situation. When I meet them at the Cross, they can look around and see the difference their giving makes.”
Legacy giving to the Alberta Cancer Foundation takes a number of different forms, including bequests in wills, naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or donating a portion of RRSPs, RRIFs or other retirement funds — they are all ways of helping Albertans facing cancer. “We tend to think of estate planning as something older people do,” says Sexsmith, “but I’m seeing a lot more people in their 30s and 40s thinking ahead about how they want to make a difference.”
The difference donors make is something Sexsmith sees first-hand on a regular basis, both at work and in his personal life. His prostate cancer recurred in 2024 and he’s currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the Cross. It’s a challenging time, but he’s optimistic. “It’s pretty easy to stay positive when you see all the people willing to help. That’s the power of giving.”
