A journey of Courage: Sa’ad battle with T-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

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. “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.” says Sa’ad.

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. “It made me so happy because my friends understood me better. After that, they were nicer to me and included me in their games.” says Sa’ad.

By grade four, with the support of understanding teachers and friends, school once again became a place of excitement and learning. Sa’ad loves his tutor. He says, “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.”

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.

“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.” Wasiq, Sa’ad’s dad

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.

“In those early weeks when everything felt dark, Kids Cancer Care became the shining light. They helped us feel like we weren’t alone.” — Zach’s parents

During the fall of 2022, Zach was a busy 12-year-old in grade 7, who loved to spend time hanging out with his friends, playing video games and training with his soccer club the Calgary Villains. Soccer was Zach’s passion, and he had dreams of maybe one day becoming a professional player! 

Into the winter of that year, Zach began noticing some weakness in his right hand. He had fallen while playing in a soccer game and initially everyone including the doctor thought the weakness was due to a hand injury. But the weakness didn’t improve. He also started having migraine headaches around this time. We didn’t put together that the two symptoms might be related. It was on a ski trip with family and friends in February of 2023, when we realized Zach couldn’t straighten his fingers enough to get a ski glove on. When we got Zach into see our family doctor that same week, he immediately recognized Zach’s symptoms as neurologic and arranged to have him be seen at Alberta Children’s hospital the following day. Even after that assessment was complete, the doctors still weren’t sure what was causing his weakness.

An MRI a week later revealed the answer. Zach had a tumour in the left side of his brain. It was the size of a mandarin orange. Our world crashed down on us in an instant. Zach was immediately admitted to the hospital, and we were told he would be having surgery that very next morning. The tumour was in a very sensitive part of his brain, and it had grown in such a way that it was pressing on the nerves that were responsible for his motor function. 

The next morning, Zach underwent a 6.5 hour surgery to remove the tumour. His surgeon had warned us that because of where the tumour was located, his motor function might be impacted longer term. Luckily, the surgeon was able to remove the entire tumour. Then more good news came when the biopsy revealed that the tumour was grade 1 and was determined to be a pilocytic astrocytoma. The relief we felt knowing Zach would likely not have to go through any chemotherapy or radiation treatment was huge. But what we weren’t aware of yet was that Zach would still be facing a different battle as he began to recover.

Within 24 hours of the surgery, it became clear Zach was suffering from a condition called aphasia, where he couldn’t find the words he needed to speak. We were terrified Zach might not be able to speak again. And as he began to regain his strength in the days after his surgery, it became clear that his motor function on the right side of his body, specifically his hand and foot was significantly impacted. Zach spent almost three weeks in the hospital recovering and working with a team of speech, physical and occupational therapists. Much to our relief, he did regain his speech, but Zach would have to learn to walk again and try to regain the function of his right hand and foot. 

It’s been 2 years since Zach’s diagnosis and brain surgery, and he has made a tremendous recovery in that time. He was quickly able to progress from using a walker and then a cane in the first few weeks out of the hospital. He now relies on an ankle foot orthotic (AFO) brace to help him walk and run. And although he still does not have full motor function in his right hand (he’s now a leftie!) it too has improved. He continues to work regularly with both occupational and physiotherapists to regain function and he’s even been able to return to the sport he loves through an adaptive sport program for soccer! 

Kids Cancer Care has been with us through much of Zach’s journey post-surgery and they have helped us in countless ways. In those early weeks and months when it became clear just how significantly Zach’s motor function was impacted, Kids Cancer Care became the shining light, guiding us through our next steps when everything was so dark and we all felt lost. Firstly, and most importantly, Kids Cancer Care made sure there were ample opportunities for Zach to be a kid again and just have fun doing things like going to Calgary Flames games and getting to meet players. And because Zach misses so much school for medical appointments, Kids Cancer Care has provided him with the most wonderful tutor who comes weekly to our house to help him stay on top of his schoolwork.

Zach also participates in the Kids Cancer Care PEER program which helps kids recover from cancer through the use of exercise and activity. He has weekly 1-on-1 sessions with an exercise therapist, and is about to start on a 12-week exercise program with a Kids Cancer Care volunteer at the YMCA. Zach also had an opportunity to give back to Kids Cancer Care by participating in the 2024 High Hopes Challenge where he was paired with an awesome Calgary business leader to help raise funds. Our entire family has been supported in so many different ways by this wonderful organization. At the end of the day, most importantly, Kids Cancer Care has let us know that we are not alone on this journey. 

“You build these friendships over the years. The energy is incredible. You meet new people, cheer on the cyclists, be a little crazy, and meet the families you’re helping.” — Corrie Dale

Sometimes, new friendships or experiences seem destined, as if every path leads you back to the same people or places. Whether real or imagined, fate undoubtedly played a role in guiding Corrie and David Dale to Kids Cancer Care.

David’s long-distance cycling journey began in 2014 when he joined his cousin Mike in the Ride to Conquer Cancer. His wife Corrie and her cousin Melanie cheered them on from the sidelines. Fueled by emotion rather than logic, all four signed up for the 2015 Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Around the same time, Corrie’s mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and their youngest daughter Baillie became a nanny for Ivy Sue, a little girl battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It wasn’t long before the Dales met Sean and Trish Rooney whose baby boy was fighting acute myeloid leukemia.

“I knew what Mom was going through because she could verbalize it, but a child? That’s a whole other thing,” says Corrie. “We decided that if we could raise money, we should.”

Determined to make a difference, they launched Duel It for the Kids — a night of dueling pianos, dancing, singing, and fun. Their initial fundraising goal was $2,500, but with a little encouragement (and a big audacious dare), they raised $15,000. At the end of the night, Corrie shaved her head while guests sang Lean on Me. At that moment, David and Corrie knew this had to become an annual event.

Since then, the dynamic duo from Medicine Hat has collectively cycled 8,510 km and raised nearly $350,000 to support children affected by cancer and they have no plans to slow down.

A mutual friend of the Rooneys introduced David to Tour for Kids Alberta, a three-day cycling event that raises funds to send children with cancer to Camp Kindle. When they learned that 100% of donations went directly to the cause, David and Mike were all in. Corrie and Melanie joined as dedicated volunteers.

The unstoppable pair has been rallying the Medicine Hat community ever since. While Corrie honed her project management skills, David built his endurance as a cyclist, culminating in his participation in the 2017 National Kids Cancer Ride. Raising funds for pediatric cancer centres across Canada, David and team cycled across the country in just 18 days. Corrie was right there behind him, driving a support vehicle, raising funds, and keeping Duel It for the Kids going strong.

While Corrie occasionally cycles for a day or two in the Ride of Courage, she thrives in her volunteer and fundraising roles: “I can be completely exhausted, but my body battery refuels immediately when doing this. The generosity, compassion, and sense of community are overwhelming.”

Thank you, Corrie and David, and all the volunteers, cyclists, sponsors and donors, who raise funds through the Ride of Courage. By supporting our camp programs, you’re helping to restore childhoods for children with cancer — so vital to their growth and development.

To register for our event, Ride of Courage, or to support our riders in their journey to help kids affected by cancer, please click on the button below.

“I remember one night at Camp Kindle, sleeping in the tipis. I got up to go to the bathroom. There were many stars in the sky, and it was so quiet, so comforting. After all the crap you go through with cancer, you realize you’re still alive, and you get to see the stars! And you realize there is something so much bigger than you, and the whole point is to share it with others.”— Jo Pricca

And sharing is exactly what Jo is doing. She’s sharing her celestial vision with other kids battling cancer by sponsoring a treehouse in the new Shane Homes Treehouse Village through the Camp Kindle Expansion and Accessibility Project.

Jo and her family first encountered Kids Cancer Care in 2017 when she was diagnosed with very high-risk leukemia. After nearly four years of treatment, she was finally on the road to healing and recovery, just in time for the pandemic to hit, making travel with her Make a Wish trip impossible. That’s when Jo decided to turn her Make a Wish into a gift for children facing cancer.

The Make a Wish Foundation jumped at the opportunity to partner with Kids Cancer Care to realize Jo’s unique wish. In 2024, when we launched the Camp Kindle Expansion and Accessibility Project, others stepped up too, turning a treehouse into a Treehouse Village sponsored by Shane Homes. The Calgary North Hill Lions Club, Essex Lease Financial Corporation, the Young family and Optics Lighting and Control Ltd. each sponsored a treehouse. Qualico will offer support with donated materials. Working with our landscape architect the TULA Project, each donor shared their vision for their treehouse:

• The Calgary North Hill Lions Club envisioned a cozy Lion’s Lair with a fun, Lion King aesthetic.

• Essex Lease Financial Corporation imagined a construction playground with sand pits and construction equipment, such as backhoes.

• Optics Lighting and Controls Ltd. explored a nautical theme with sails, ropes, knots and seafaring instruments.

• The Young family envisioned a playful imaginarium for unstructured play, imagination and learning.

• Jo conjured up a celestial night sky of dark navy blues, golds and crystals. Adorned with kitty cats, butterflies and dragonflies, the space will feature big comfy cushions under a dome of stars and planets.

As a teenager, Jo actively participated in Kids Cancer Care programs such as tutoring, PEER exercise and the Teen Leadership Program. But it was Camp Kindle that captured her imagination and heart.

“The first time I saw camp was for Mother’s Day Brunch,” she says. “We drove up and we saw the sign, the trees, the gates, the high ropes, the pool and the archery range. I saw the expanse of camp and thought, ‘Holy crap! I get to go here this summer!’”

Jo’s parents Nadene and Omar Pricca stepped up big time for the construction project, topping up Jo’s gift, which Nadene’s employer Ovintiv later matched. The Priccas also sponsored a bench in Christine’s Conservatory, the outdoor percussion playground to be installed this spring. Nadene and Omar made the donation in honour of all Kids Cancer Care families.

“I hope future kids fall in love with Camp Kindle like I did,” says Jo. “I hope it feels like home and the treehouse is part of that home.”

From blueprint to reality: building the Shane Homes Treehouse Village

“When we were thrown into this cancer world, we were disoriented and lost. Kids Cancer Care was our only anchor, allowing us to stop spinning and stop spiraling into despair…. We are so grateful for Kids Cancer Care.” — Amanda

Easton was just finishing up grade four in June 2023 when he started experiencing neck pain and nausea. He’d taken a hit to the head from a soccer ball a few weeks earlier, so his parents Amanda and Jeff were worried it was a concussion. When his parents learned that Easton was also experiencing vision problems and seeing double, they were even more concerned. What they didn’t know is that with morning vomiting, Easton was showing signs of a pediatric brain cancer. After several doctors’ appointments and a series of tests, including an ultrasound, X-ray, blood work, and an eye exam, the Moppett-Beatches were still no more knowledgeable about their son’s condition.

One morning, Easton woke up with neck pain so severe it brought him to tears and later vomiting. His parents rushed him to emergency. A CAT scan, followed by an MRI, confirmed that Easton had a brain tumour. Their world shattered.

Within a week, Easton had undergone two brain surgeries to remove the tumour. They were intense, risky procedures as the tumour was dangerously close to his brain stem. A biopsy of the tumour revealed that Easton had medulloblastoma — an aggressive pediatric brain cancer. The tumour was the size of a golf ball.

“Words cannot express what it was like to wait during this time,” says Amanda. “We held his hand in the PICU until the next morning at 9 am, just waiting for him to wake up, to talk, so we could finally breathe again.”

Jeff agrees: “It was the worst news. We could hardly bear to tell him. Two brain surgeries in one week. It was almost unbearable for all of us.”

You’re helping create kinder classrooms

Working one-to-one with Easton, our child life specialist co-created and co-presented a customized Cancer in the Classroom session for his grade five class. Thanks to your support, this unique program helps school children understand cancer and its impact on their classmate. Fostering greater understanding and empathy in school children, Cancer in the Classroom helps prevent bullying and builds character and school spirit.

With each session, the class receives a Monkey in My Chair who occupies the desk of the sick child while they’re away. The monkey offers school children a tangible and playful focus around which they can interact.

In Easton’s class, the big question was always, “What hat are you bringing for the monkey?” When Easton was too sick to come in, his sister Ellie would bring in the hat for him. Since Easton is a big hockey fan and player, the monkey often wore a Tampa Bay Lightening cap and a Team Easton sweatshirt. His family created Team Easton sweatshirts and later sold them at the school. The initiative increased understanding and support for Easton while raising $5,550 for Kids Cancer Care.

“About 75 per cent of his school happily wears their Team Easton t-shirts daily,” says Amanda. “It was a wonderful way for the school to think of Easton and remember him as he would be leaving school again in October for six months of chemotherapy.”

You’re helping kids rebuild their strength

Your support helped Easton rebuild his strength through our PEER exercise program. Working one-to-one with our Ph.D. exercise specialist, Easton gradually returned to his former self.

“These weekly sessions have helped Easton regain his strength, balance, coordination and most importantly his playfulness!” says Amanda. 

Designed by a team of pediatric cancer care professionals, PEER helps children combat the deconditioning effects of cancer and its harsh treatments while reducing side effects.

You’re helping the whole family

While Easton was busy at PEER, Ellie was busy at PLUS, a five-week program for siblings. Amid the chaos of a child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, undiagnosed siblings can feel left out and alone. Thanks to your support, PLUS was there to offer Ellie a safe space to explore her feelings and ask questions.

You’re giving families the respite they need  

Your generosity also provided the whole Moppett-Beatch family a weekend away at Family Camp where they connected with other families and participated in an array of activities from archery to ropes, giant swing, and arts and crafts.

“We had an awesome time,” says Amanda. “Easton and Ellie made friends and LOVED the camp counsellors.”

“When we were thrown into this cancer world, we were disoriented and lost,” says Amanda. “Kids Cancer Care has been an anchor for us, allowing us to stop spinning and stop spiralling into despair. A ‘village’ for us to settle into, as we slowly stopped to breathe, recover and learn in this new world. We are so grateful for Kids Cancer Care and will continue to do everything we can to support, advocate and fundraise for such a wonderful local charity supporting cancer families.” 

Thank you for being on Team Easton and for being part of our village.

Special thanks to the Flames Foundation for supporting our PEER exercise program and Canada Post for igniting our PLUS program.

Some beautiful pictures of Easton and his family.

If you don’t already know Carolina Oxtoby, you soon will. She has been championing Kids Cancer Care for over two decades and she’s not showing any signs of slowing down. Quite the opposite. As chair of the fundraising cabinet for the Camp Kindle Expansion and Accessibility Campaign, she and her hardworking cabinet have raised a staggering $7.66 million over the past seven months.

As former president and CEO of Heritage Pointe Properties, Carolina is known for her forward-thinking can-do attitude in business and philanthropy. She is the visionary behind the award-winning community on the southern edge of Calgary that offers the best in rural and urban living with a world-class 27-hole golf course.

Carolina’s commitment to Kids Cancer Care was first ignited when she and Christine McIver, founder of Kids Cancer Care and capital campaign advisor, met at a charity golf tournament banquet and knew they had an instant connection.

“Christine opened her heart and world to me,” says Carolina. “The incredible and emotional story of her son Derek who she lost to brain cancer. It inspired me to learn more about the tragic illness that forever changes the lives of children and devastates their parents and siblings.” That night, a spark was lit in Carolina that she has generously shared with Kids Cancer Care ever since.

In 2013, Carolina participated in the High Hopes Challenge, an annual fundraising event that tests the stamina of Calgary business leaders who take on a series of challenges at Camp Kindle. The carefully selected participants were challenged to raise a minimum of $10,000. Carolina raised nearly $30,000.

The High Hopes Challenge pairs each business leader with a child affected by cancer who literally shows them the ropes at camp. Carolina was paired with Kayla, a teenage girl who was battling brain cancer while her mother was battling relapsed breast cancer. This time it was terminal.

A cancer survivor herself, Carolina went above and beyond to help Kayla’s family. Friends of the family established a Carpe Diem Fund to ease the financial burden for the family.

“We were three musketeers and were invincible, knowing that Shannon’s life was fading, and Kayla’s future was uncertain,” says Carolina. “We had matching Carpe Diem tattoos to seal our bond and our love for each other.”

Shannon and her children Kayla and Tyler lived deeply and richly until she took her last breath in January 2016. Kayla has since graduated from the University of Lethbridge where she studied psychology with the help of a Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship from Kids Cancer Care.

Shannon and her children Kayla and Tyler lived deeply and richly until she took her last breath in January 2016. Kayla has since graduated from the University of Lethbridge where she studied psychology with the help of a Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship from Kids Cancer Care.

“Kayla has climbed many mountains and today remains cancer-free,” says Carolina. “Her journey has been inspirational with her courage and determination.”

These days, Carolina is pouring her heart into the Camp Kindle Expansion and Accessibility Campaign for children like Kayla. The project will expand capacity, enhance outdoor and indoor program spaces and improve accessibility for children with mobility issues. It includes the following buildings and structures:

1. A multi-purpose building with an arts and craft workshop, teaching and learning kitchen, a wellness hub and collaboration stations to ignite creativity, culinary innovation, connection and collaboration;
2. Staff residences to look after the hardworking staff who care for the children and Camp Kindle operations;
3. A treehouse village that will stir curiosity and wonder in young minds, inspiring imaginative play, active learning and movement;
4. An outdoor percussion playground named Christine’s Conservatory that will offer a creative outlet for future musicians and composers while honouring the 30-year legacy of Kids Cancer Care’s founder Christine McIver; and
5. Landscaping and accessibility enhancements such as switchbacks instead of stairs to connect the Upper and Lower Kindle Villages.

Carolina’s experiences as a cancer survivor and a High Hopes Challenger give her precious insight into the importance of cancer camps in kids’ lives, uniquely qualifying her to lead the campaign.

“Camp restores childhoods,” says Carolina. “It gives them opportunities to develop lifelong friendships and skills that sustain them as they return to the day-to-day realities of cancer and its late effects.”

Tracey Martin, CEO of Kids Cancer Care agrees: “Children with cancer miss out on a lot, like playdates, school, sports and other extra-curricular activities — experiences that are essential for healthy brain development. Without these early life experiences, kids affected by cancer can fall behind, leading to gaps in skills and development. Camp helps reconnect these kids to their childhoods.”   

Childhood cancer survivors also live with at least one chronic or life-threatening health condition related to their cancer treatments. These conditions grow worse with age and without any apparent plateau. They also experience higher rates of depression and anxiety and have lower outcomes in school and work. Kids Cancer Care programs are designed to address these cancer-related conditions to help level the playing field for them.

“I give thanks that I was diagnosed with cancer as an adult rather than a child who has not had the privilege of growing up without the constraints and challenges of this terrible disease that robs them of their innocent youth,” says Carolina. “This is why I volunteer my time and offer what I can to make the world a better place for all the vulnerable children and families who hear the words: ‘You have cancer.’”

“I am so blessed to finish my working career with Kids Cancer Care by doing something I love, that is raising funds, for a place I love — Camp Kindle — with a friend I love, my dear Carolina!” says Christine. “ Together we enjoy nothing more than sharing the campaign plans with prospective donors and watching them transform into donors.”

Carolina feels the same way: “I am honoured to chair the capital campaign. My heartfelt thanks go out to the many business colleagues, friends and supporters for their incredible generosity. They are helping shape the lives of young people. Together we can continue to offer a safe sanctuary where children with cancer can escape and just be kids. I encourage everyone to be part of this magical place. I know I will as I continue to share the gift of caring and support.”

“We are deeply grateful to the generous individuals, businesses, government and construction partners who have embraced our mission to provide the best care and support for kids with cancer by connecting them with their childhood through the Camp Kindle project,” says Tracey.

Kids Cancer Care expects to finish the project by the fall of 2025.

To support the Camp Kindle Expansion and Accessibility Project DONATE BELOW.

Thank you for sharing your spark with Kids Cancer Care, Carolina. You are making Camp Kindle even more magical and accessible for kids affected by cancer.

Special thanks to members of the capital fundraising cabinet:

Carolina Oxtoby

Bill Black

Lyle Edwards

Mark Hodgson

Thilo Kaufmann

Christine McIver 

We’re thrilled to announce that Shane Heidt of Calgary is our 2024 MEGA 50/50 winner. With YOUR support, the MEGA 50/50 jackpot grew to more than $35,000, which means Shane is taking home $17,530! Congratulations to Shane and his whole family!

Shane’s son Colton was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in January 2024. Colton’s parents Shane and Lori noticed that his cheek had started to swell. After a couple of visits to the hospital and an emergency dental appointment, a biopsy was scheduled. After the biopsy on January 11, the Heidt family learned it was cancer! It was their worst nightmare, and their world shattered. Colton was admitted to the Alberta Children’s Hospital on January 21 and had surgery to install an access port under his skin the very next day. The doctors also checked his spinal fluid and bone marrow for cancer. Thankfully, those tests came back negative! Colton started his first round of chemotherapy on January 23 and by the end of the week, his cheek swelling was already starting to go down. Much to his parents’ amazement Colton did not have too many side effects. He would feel crappy the day after his chemo session but would quickly bounce back.

Kids Cancer Care was there for the family right from diagnosis. “Kids Cancer Care was a light in the darkest moment of our lives,” says Shane.

After 8 long months of being at the hospital every week, Colton is now doing great. He has transitioned to the maintenance phase of treatment. This means fewer trips to the hospital. Now he only visits once a month for blood work and every 3 months for intravenous chemo. Colton is still taking oral chemo every day but is back to school and his friends.

“This will be our new normal until March 2026 when he can finally ring that bell and say he is cancer-free. There will still be visits to the hospital for the next few years to make sure nothing has come back, but the good news is there is a 95% chance with his type of cancer and his treatment that he will be cured. We never thought in a million years that we would be in this situation. We now know how important foundations like Kids Cancer Care are. We are truly thankful for all the programs we’ve been able to access. Helping other families in their need is rewarding in itself but winning the 50/50 makes this a full-circle journey for us. We cannot thank Kids Cancer Care enough.”

THANK YOU for buying our MEGA 50/50 tickets! The funds raised through this 50/50 will directly benefit kids and families impacted by cancer – so the real winners from this raffle are the kids and we are truly grateful! A HUGE shoutout to Daytona Homes for being our incredible partners and supporters this year!

This June we celebrated an incredible group of young adults as we awarded them Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship. This year, we awarded the largest dollar amount to each individual to date. This is the 16th year of this scholarship and with this year’s recipients, we have awarded over $468,000 in scholarships to 218 deserving young people.

Over the past 16 years, we have seen the scholarship fund grow and impact many lives. This endowed fund, administered by the Calgary Foundation, is at over $1 million today! It will be here for future generations and is meant to help level the playing field for childhood cancer survivors. Pediatric cancer leaves its mark through a litany of physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial late effects. This scholarship is our way of showing that we believe in each childhood cancer survivor and want to help give them the best start as they take the next step in their life.

Here are our 2024 scholarship recipients.

A heartfelt congratulations to all our outstanding scholarship recipients, you have earned it! We can’t wait to see what you do in the next chapters of your lives and from everyone here at Kids Cancer Care GOOD LUCK!

When Amber’s youngest son Michael asked, “When will I get my cancer Mom?” she knew their household was anything but normal.

Michael was only two when his big brother Luca was diagnosed with brain cancer. Michael didn’t know anything else; he figured everyone got cancer and his time was coming. Their older sister Natalia was six and she understood more, but seeing Luca, her best friend, battle cancer and its lasting fallout was tough on her. 

A child’s cancer will do that to a family. It disrupts childhoods and turns lives upside down. In Luca’s case, cancer just kept taking. Thank goodness you were here, helping Luca and his family rebuild their lives during their cancer journey and beyond.

As a toddler, Luca showed signs of exceptional intelligence. He started speaking early and acquired a massive vocabulary. Luca’s doctor was sure he was gifted, which floored his mother Amber, “He’s only eight months old, how can you possibly know that?”

While the other kids were playing outdoors, two-year-old Luca spent hours at the computer, exploring sites on volcanoes. By age four, he was asking his mother about university. Eventually, Luca’s parents Amber and Ernesto enrolled Luca in a school for gifted children.

Then everything changed.

A diagnosis that changed everything

After months of dizziness, nausea and weight loss, Luca was diagnosed with anaplastic medulloblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer.  

Following an eight-hour brain surgery, which didn’t go well, “Luca spent the next week in intensive care in a kind of pain I didn’t even know existed,” says Amber.

He endured six rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, interspersed with three stem cell transplants, which also required high-dose chemo.

Stem cell transplants are high-risk procedures that demand extreme isolation and round-the-clock care. It is a major commitment for the family. Destroying cancer cells with high-dose chemo, a stem cell transplant essentially takes the child right up to death’s door before rebuilding with healthy cells. Luca had three stem cell transplants.

Shortly after his last chemo treatment, Luca relapsed and he would go through it all over again. This time, the family flew to Houston, Texas where Luca received proton radiation at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The hope was that the proton therapy would be less damaging to his brain.

By the time he finished the second protocol, Luca’s little body was completely spent.

Your gifts can help kids survive and thrive — in body, mind and spirit

through exercise therapy

With your generosity, Luca was able to attend our PEER exercise program to regain his energy and rebuild his strength and balance. To this day, he still fatigues easily, but “Exercise helps,” says Amber. “PEER was instrumental in getting him back to school and normal again.”

Although Luca’s treatments finished over a decade ago, his cancer journey is far from over.

“Just as we figure out a problem, a new one, or a few more, pop up,” says Amber. “We still see specialists every three months. I don’t think we’ll ever graduate to annual follow-ups because his health is just too complicated.”

through tutoring

One day, Amber received a call from the school telling her that Luca was experiencing double vision. A visit to the doctor, revealed that Luca was experiencing a brain bleed due to a condition called cavernoma. Also known as cerebral cavernous malformations, the condition involves abnormal clusters of small blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord that create wide caverns of slow-flowing blood.

Symptoms of cavernoma can range from headaches to seizures to paralysis, or balance, vision, speech, and memory problems. Luca has 20 of these caverns, which caused double vision and a serious brain bleed that required surgery. A severe brain bleed can cause stroke. The caverns grow and change over time, so there is nothing they can do to treat it.

While Amber and Ernesto tried to give Luca the best possible outcome by going to MD Anderson for proton therapy, it damaged his brain. Luca now has acquired ADHD and has complex learning issues. He requires constant cuing and requires a full-time aide at school.

“He went from being gifted and ahead of his peers to falling behind,” says Amber.

Thanks to your generosity, Luca receives support from a tutor who understands cancer-related learning challenges. “He loves Mackenzie,” says Amber. “I can hear him laughing and having fun during their sessions. It’s helped reduce my stress and I didn’t have to educate Mackenzie about all his late effects because Kids Cancer Care does that.”

through camp

The gap between Luca and his peers grows wider each year and he sees it. He requires constant care and will never be able to live independently.

After six years of daily growth hormone injections, Luca recently learned that his growth plates have fused, and he has stopped growing. He will be five feet forever. His hair never grew in completely and he’s had double cataract surgery.

Natalia and Michael both help with Luca’s care. “They have grown into such caring and compassionate people,” says Amber.

Still, they’re only kids themselves and sometimes they need a break too. Thanks to your support, Luca and his siblings get a break each summer at Camp Kindle.

“I have found lifelong friendships with people who truly understand me, and what my family has been through,” says Natalia. “We are so lucky to have a place to leave our stories and create new ones, away from the hospital.”

Michael agrees: “This camp is a big part of my life, through the friends I make every year, or the things I do every year. Camp really helps my brother Luca in so many ways. When I watch him trying new things, and making friends, it puts a smile on my face and a very big smile on his. I’m so, so thankful for what camp has helped him with. It has helped him bring out his real self.”  

As the Stamile kids suggest, camp isn’t only about fun and adventure. It helps kids affected by cancer build skills, friendships, and resilience essential to their mental and physical well-being.

Childhood cancer survivors are 57% more likely to struggle with depression and 27% more likely to struggle with anxiety.* Luca is no exception. He’s been diagnosed with PTSD and struggles with depression and anxiety.

Being at camp, seeing old friends, making new friends, and simply enjoying a sweet slice of normal helps all the Stamile kids.

“I love camp,“ says Luca. “I love everything about it, the activities, the friendships, the counsellors. My dream is to be a camp counsellor one day.”

* Lee, A., Low, C., Yau, C. et. al. (2023, June 22). “Lifetime Burden of Psychological Symptoms, Disorders, and Suicide Due to Cancer in Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” JAMA Pediatrics. https://jamanetwork.com/.