On April 9, 2017, our world changed forever. Our 18‐month‑old son Sa’ad was playing in the garage with his cousins — chomping on an apple and enjoying a carefree moment — when suddenly he began choking. His small body went slack, his skin turned a deep blue, and the desperate sound of labored breathing filled the air. We rushed to call 911, and although the emergency team reassured us that he appeared to be recovering, something didn’t feel right. Even as he slept through the ambulance ride, we knew our brave little boy was fighting for every breath.
At the hospital, after waiting for nearly an hour, the doctor initially suggested it was just a croup virus. But as a mother, I sensed that this explanation couldn’t account for the 10-second period when his breathing had completely stopped. Insisting on further tests, we agreed to a chest x-ray. Within an hour, the X‑Ray revealed a huge lump by his heart — an ominous mass that was crushing his breathing tube. In a flurry of activity, he was immediately admitted to the ICU of the Alberta Children’s Hospital for more tests. That very night, after a CT scan and a battery of blood tests, the heart‐wrenching diagnosis came: T‑cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer that had taken root in his tiny body.
The next morning brought more tests and a five‑day stay in the ICU before he was moved to the oncology unit. There, preparations began for the start of chemotherapy. He even had a pick‑line inserted into his arm to make the treatment process as smooth as possible. Remarkably, just six days after his diagnosis, he had his very first round of chemo—and he responded well. Amid the whirlwind of treatments, we met the wonderful Kids Cancer Care team. Their warm pizza nights on Wednesdays and the playful moments in the oncology playroom brought sparks of joy during an otherwise frightening time.
Yet the battle was far from over. Shortly after discharge, he was sent home with steroids and oral medications. The side effects were challenging; the once bright and smiling little boy began to seem distant, as if he had forgotten how to smile or speak with his usual energy. Our hearts broke watching him struggle. Frequent trips back to the oncology unit became a part of our new normal—sometimes in the middle of the night, sometimes during the day—just to reinsert his NG tube or check on his progress.
In May 2017, when he developed a fever, we rushed him back to the hospital. After blood work confirmed an infection, we spent a week in the hospital, finding relief in daily visits from his cousins and grandparents. Then, just before Christmas in December 2017, fever struck again. That holiday, we found ourselves in a hospital room on Christmas Day. Even during uncertainty, the magic of the day found us: firefighters, police officers, and even a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus from our window. Our son’s smile shone brightly, a defiant beacon of hope despite his illness.
January 2018 brought another terrifying challenge. One night, while we slept in his hospital room, he began having seizures. Nurses worked tirelessly to monitor him, and after several long days—including an EEG that left him unable to move properly—he slowly began to recover. Gradually, the little spark in his eyes reappeared as he was allowed day passes to crawl around and play with his cousins. Although he endured multiple infections—from his blood to the line inserted for chemo, and even intestinal issues that caused him to vomit blood—the long, challenging nights eventually gave way to a glimmer of light. By the end of March, as his condition improved, we finally returned home, making regular 24‑hour visits for his chemo treatments.
In 2019, hope truly began to blossom. We embraced every opportunity to create joyful memories offered by Kids Cancer Care. He experienced the thrill of ice-skating and skiing, joined a peer program run by an incredible team led by Carolina, and even attended Camp Kindle on Mother’s Day—a day marked forever by the beautiful card he made for me.
In July 2019, a landmark moment arrived: he finished his treatment. A jubilant party at home, complete with a cake boldly proclaiming, “no more chemo,” celebrated not just the end of treatment, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with promise. From that day forward, events hosted by Kids Cancer Care—like the magical Polar Express trips and summer camps—became cherished traditions that reminded us of the power of community and resilience.
Though the physical toll of chemo still lingers—affecting his balance, energy levels, and even his progress in reading and math—our son’s spirit remains unbroken. In school, he faced challenges making friends, as some children were unkind. The Kids Cancer Care “Cancer in the Classroom” program stepped in, educating his peers about his journey and inspiring a newfound kindness. In grade three, when teasing made schooldays hard, a special Minecraft-themed magic presentation helped reawaken his joy and reintegrate him into his classmates’ circles. By grade four, with the support of understanding teachers and friends, school once again became a place of excitement and learning.
Today, as we reflect on the past years, our gratitude knows no bounds. Our son’s journey has been filled with moments of fear, perseverance, and unexpected joy—stands as a witness to the strength of a child’s spirit and the power of a supportive community. We are forever grateful to Kids Cancer Care for filling our lives with beautiful memories, for their unwavering support during the darkest times, and for helping our son rediscover his smile, his laughter, and his hope for the future.
Each day, we celebrate his courage, and we hold on to the belief that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, love and hope can light the way to brighter tomorrows.
Sa’ad’s love for camp, tutoring program and Cancer in the Classroom!
On camp: “I loved going to camp because I got to do lots of crafts, coloring and play. I also enjoyed going to camp because we got to see inside of a helicopter once and it was so cool.
On his Tutor: “My tutor’s name is Armaan and she is really nice. She helps me understand my math and help me with writing. She makes math fun and I understand better when she teaches me.”
Cancer in the Classroom: “It made me so happy because my friends understood me better. After that, they were nicer to me and included me in their games.”
Wasiq, Sa’ad’s dad say on Kids Cancer Care:
“Kids Cancer Care has been a blessing for our family. They’ve supported Sa’ad through every step of his journey, not just with treatments but by giving him a chance to be a kid through camp, fun events, and programs that help him at school. They’ve also been there for us as parents, making sure we never felt alone in this. Seeing Sa’ad happy, confident, and surrounded by people who truly care means the world to us. We’re forever grateful for everything they’ve done.”
