Aaron “Godson” Hernandez says it was like time stopped when he was diagnosed with a rare type of blood cancer.
“I was kind of numb to it,” he said. “You never expect to get this kind of news.”
The well-known Yellowknifer was medevaced to Edmonton in late November. Following several medical tests, he was diagnosed with stage four anaplastic T-cell lymphoma.
“Soon after that it was go time,” Hernandez said. “Let’s get this treatment going, let’s fix this, let’s fight this.”
Hernandez started his first round of chemotherapy last week. He is now back in Yellowknife to continue treatment.
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“We’re gonna fight this and we’re gonna beat this,” he said. “I’ve never backed down from a challenge. And you know this isn’t an award, this isn’t a TV appearance, this is life. And I’m living and I’m taking this and I’m gonna win.”
Many Yellowknifers may know Godson as a DJ and hip-hop artist. He has released more than a dozen albums, was part of the NWT contingent that performed at the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver, received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012, and was a finalist for EMI’s Record Deal competition.
Hernandez and his family also competed on Family Feud Canada in 2019.
Hernandez said he is thankful for healthcare workers and the support of his wife Melissa, other family members, friends and community as he fights cancer.
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He said a good samaritan helped fly his kids to Edmonton while he was in hospital there over the holidays.
“It’s been more than overwhelming. I didn’t realize how much support I had throughout the city, and not only the city but the North,” he said of the supportive messages he has received since sharing his diagnosis.
“It’s been a big part of my fight here because it does uplift me knowing that there’s so much support everywhere. And I needed that.”
Hernandez and his supporters have been using #GodsonArmy online.
Friends of the Hernandez family have launched a GoFundMe page to help ease their financial burden as he battles cancer.
Heather Ruptash, one of the organizers of the fundraiser, said she has been friends with Aaron’s sister Anna for 30 years.
“They’re just amazing people,” she said. “It’s really hard not to want to help people like that.”
“Knowing that Yellowknifers help each other out and northerners help each other out, it was the best way that we could help support Aaron and his family,” she said.
Ruptash said the support so far has been “incredible to see,” with hundreds of people making donations and sharing kind words on the GoFundMe page.
“It makes me proud to live here,” she said.
