Who we are
“hey buddie” started as a simple salutation I used in the spring of 2023 while sharing updates with friends and family on social media during my fight with throat cancer. Posting about my journey helped me process the stress, and the outpouring of support I received was truly incredible. It made a huge difference.
My cancer was caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital and throat cancers, and is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The good news is HPV cancers and health problems are now 100% preventable. Since 2007, Canada has offered HPV immunizations, now part of routine school vaccinations.
After sharing my story, three families told me they’d gotten their kids vaccinated because of it. That really moved me. My story, shared with no grand intentions, may have saved lives. It was a reminder of how small actions can create ripples that spread far and wide.
In early 2024, inspired by that ripple effect, I registered hey buddie as a non-profit organization. Our approach is a little different—we don’t focus on a single cause. Instead, we’re here to support them all, especially the small, community-driven NPOs where a little help can make a big impact.
At hey buddie, we believe that everyone needs help from time to time and that little things go a long way. Together, we will make a difference.
Mike, Founder & CEO
Meet Mike, Our CEO and Founder
Mike’s life has been a journey shaped by two major events: a heart attack in 2017 and a fight against cancer in 2023.
The heart attack shifted his outlook on life. Climbing the corporate ladder took a backseat to family and friends. They became his priority.
Cancer, however, changed his perspective entirely. What started as a suspected throat infection turned into a battle that made him confront the possibility of having less than five years to live. He decided then that he would dedicate a large part of the life he had left to helping others. Then came hope—his throat cancer was beatable with an 85-90% success rate. Now he’d have even more time to help others and grow old with family and friends. In a weird way, this experience was a blessing
Mike’s experiences fueled the creation of hey buddie, where he channels his passion for making a meaningful impact.