Age: 11 | Guelph, Ontario
Jamie is now a healthy active 11yr girl who has a 9 year old sister Jillian and 24 year old brother Luke. We live in Guelph, Ontario.
Our daughter Jamie was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL) at the age of 10 months. On a routine visit to our pediatrician, he noted that Jamie had an enlarged spleen and ordered immediate lab work and ultrasound. These tests confirmed a very grim diagnoses of Leukemia. Until now Jamie had been healthy but recently had been experiencing some irritability and loss of appetite. I also noted some very small bruises on the top of her foot.
We were sent to McMaster Children’s Hospital where the diagnoses was further confirmed and treatment immediately began. Our lives took a drastic turn.
Jamie spent the next 10-12 weeks in hospital, due to her age and high risk there was only 2 trips home that summer.
Jamie celebrated her 1st birthday at McMaster and also took her 1st steps there, it was home for us.
Jamie’s big brother, Luke, had to live with his Grandma and Grandpa in Guelph.
Jamie is a very strong girl, she endured many painful procedures that she never understood. She endured many bone marrow aspirations, intrathecal (spinal) chemo, multiple central lines (hickmans, picc line, and 2 portacaths).
Remarkably Jamie pulled through. After heavy chemo, IV tube feeds, horrible side effects and weeks of isolation we were allowed to go home.
Chemo went on for two years, a few times per week in Hamilton. When Jamie was 21 months old and 11months into treatment, she welcomed little sister, Jillian.
Today, Jamie recalls very little of the painful procedures, however she does remember the nice nurses and staff from the many years of after-care, and of course, she remembers Camp Trillium.
By the time Jamie turned 3 life became more normal. We started going to Camp Trillium. After being largely isolated for the last 2 years ,Camp was a breath of fresh air, literally. A place to play, feel safe, connect with others who have very similar stories as ours. It is both heartbreaking and comforting to know that so many kids have suffered and fought and continue to fight this cruel disease.
Jamie is now a healthy 11 year old girl. She is soft spoken and has a very kind gentle soul. She excels at swimming, skiing and likes tennis and dance. She has a passion for fishing and boating excursions. When she grows up she wants to work with animals.
During the Tour for kids ride, my message to riders is, THANK YOU for riding in honor of these families and these children. Everyone one of you is cranking out tons of positive energy, lets send it to these kids. To the volunteers, well, it simply wouldn’t be possible without them, they are the precious gems.
To our sponsors, thanks so much for choosing such a worthwhile cause that is so close to my heart. Your contribution will make such a difference on improving the quality of life for those living with childhood cancer.
Coast to Coast Against Cancer is a powerful positive group I would be proud to be a part of. I feel the need to support and lend my hand and my heart to all the children and their families who may follow in our footsteps. I feel confident that I am able to actively engage my community and hopefully others into recognizing Coast to Coast Against Cancer as one of our essential charities.
