“I would rather have cancer again than lose everything I’ve gained through Kids Cancer Care.” — Chan
At 17, Chan possesses wisdom well beyond his years. Despite the trauma of a cancer diagnosis at age 10, he views his journey as a blessing. Thanks to your incredible support, Chan transformed his cancer experience into an opportunity for growth.
“It was a very scary experience, but I feel fortunate,” says Chan. “Everything I’ve gained through Kids Cancer Care — the friendships, experiences and opportunities — far outweighs my treatment.”
Chan’s cancer ordeal started with excruciating back pain that eventually led to a diagnosis of Burkitt’s lymphoma — a fast-growing, aggressive cancer. After six months of intense chemotherapy, Chan entered remission in June 2019.
That summer, Chan went to Camp Kindle: “I was in Embers boys, and I did not want to be there. I was a pretty shy kid, super introverted, and this counsellor Chilli drew me out of my shell and showed me the magic of camp. I want to do that for someone else.”
Today, Chan deals with primary immunodeficiency — a side effect of his treatment — requiring regular injections and monitoring.
“His immune system has still not recovered from the chemo,” his mother Hyeok Jung explains. “He has zero immunity and needs regular injections to boost it. They don’t know why it’s happening.”
True to form, Chan remains ever grateful and optimistic: “It’s scary because you could die, but so much good has come to me through this experience.”
Chan cherishes the memories and friendships he made at Camp Kindle — especially those from camp SunSeeker, where he experienced more independence and a deeper connection with friends and nature. Through these friendships and experiences, Chan has built a powerful resilience that will sustain him throughout life.
“I loved the out trips, making our own food, struggling to set up our tents, but having fun,” says Chan. “It almost felt like a blessing when you didn’t have to do dishes. I had a really good group of friends and laughed a lot.”
Looking ahead to summer, Chan hopes to return to Camp Kindle as a counsellor to pay the magic forward. Afterward, he plans to study computer science and AI at the University of Alberta, supported by a Kids Cancer Care Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship.
Chan also imagines a day when his name will appear on the donor wall at Camp Kindle. Whether as camp counsellor, donor or AI scientist, Chan plans to pass along his gifts to the next generation.
Reflecting on their family’s cancer journey, it’s clear Hyeok shares her son’s resilient spirit: “It was the best luck among bad luck.”
Thank you for giving kids with cancer a childhood. Your generosity is inspiring a new generation of young leaders.
ABOUT THE INSPIRIT AWARD
The Inspirit Award is presented to a camper who made a special effort to bring people together at camp. They demonstrated a care and concern that everyone be included and have fun.
This camper is an exceptional candidate for this award due to their unwavering positivity and ability to uplift those around them. They consistently remind others how fortunate they are to be at camp, which fosters a sense of gratitude and appreciation. Even when faced with less-than-ideal situations, they maintain a positive attitude, as they understand their outlook can significantly impact how others enjoy things. Moreover, they go above and beyond to bring joy to those feeling down by demonstrating genuine care for the well-being of their fellow campers. Their eagerness to apologize for any perceived wrong doings highlights their strong moral compass and commitment to maintaining harmony within their cabin and camp as a whole. This level of self-awareness and consideration is truly commendable. Their outstanding leadership in running a Camp-Wide Game and their encouragement of younger campers during Choose Your Own Adventure further exemplify their Inspirit qualities. Their ability to inspire and motivate others, coupled with their infectious positivity, makes them the ideal candidate for this award. This camper embodies the true spirit of Camp Kindle and their contributions to camp culture have undoubtedly enriched the experience for everyone involved!
