Jun’s Legacy

Jun’s Legacy:  When you leave this earth, how will people remember you?  This is Jun.  He was an incredible friend, father, husband, colleague and Urologist. 

I met Jun and his wife Julie at Torch Fitness 5 years ago.  They were the cutest pair.  Kind, sweet, witty, funny, and extremely competitive.  Over the year I have gotten to know them quite well.

Last year, Jun was diagnosed with the disease we all fear.  Cancer.  I’ve shed a lot of tears about this disease, this year in particular.  It just seems so unfair.  Jun was so determined to beat that beast and fought very hard.  

Jun’s closest friends arranged a special event for him where they unveiled a clinic under his name “The Kawakami Prehabilitation Clinic.”  This clinic optimizes healing outcomes for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer by improving all aspects of their health prior to surgical intervention.  

I was honoured to photograph this special event for Jun and it was truly a beautiful evening.  Memories shared by friends, family, and colleagues; a heart-warming speech from Jun himself; and a dance that followed.  I will never forget this part of the evening:  Jun found the strength to dance as his son, Summit, DJ’d.  It was such a beautiful moment to have witnessed in Jun’s last month alive. 

Jun didn’t want everyone to leave the event feeling sad for him.  He wanted everyone to remember him being happy, dancing, and living life to its fullest - and that’s exactly how l will remember him.

We’ll miss you, Jun.  See you on the other side.