Former CTV Ottawa news anchor Max Keeping is touched by the community’s support as he prepares for an eight-hour surgery tomorrow, part of his fight against colorectal cancer.

Keeping tells the Sun there has been a collective embrace from the community since he announced his newest diagnosis.  Even his old rivals from CBC interviewed him.

He was also invited to five Thanksgiving dinners.

After he went public with his colon cancer nine years ago, there was a major increase in the number of people who got themselves checked.  Keeping says he hopes the same happens this time.

Keeping is staying upbeat, saying he still has a lot of dancing to do.  He’s been told he’ll be out of commission for six months.  He vows to be back in four months.