Amory and Rochana's story: 20 years after childhood cancer

Amory Hall was 4 years old when he collapsed on the playground at school, complaining about sore legs. His mother, Rochana Williamson, took him to the hospital, where they were told Amory most likely just had growing pains.

“I had a weird, sort of haunting feeling that it was a bit more than that,” Rochana remembers.

After receiving the bloodwork results, they found out that Amory had leukemia. He would have to go through 3-and-a-half years of daily chemotherapy treatments.

Rochana remembers how Amory stayed strong and positive throughout his treatment.

He was told that he had a 70% chance of survival, and he would say to me: you know, Mom, no, I have a 100% chance of surviving.

Being sick had taken up a large part of Amory’s childhood. Rather than playing with other children, he was often at the hospital. And as a single mother, Rochana faced many emotional and financial struggles while her son was sick.

Thankfully, Amory and Rochana found support in Camp Goodtimes, a summer camp program funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and Cops for Cancer. At Camp Goodtimes, children and their families can have fun and connect with other people who have been affected by cancer, all while receiving medical care from staff.

Amory’s summers at Camp Goodtimes gave him positive childhood experiences while receiving treatment. And for Rochana, Camp Goodtimes gave her a sense of relief, knowing that Amory would receive the care he needed.

"The impact of this experience is something that is difficult to put into words. Camp Goodtimes was a place where kids that feel anything but normal, can feel part of something normal with others fighting the same battle," Rochana says.

She reflects on the impact that the Cops for Cancer Tour has had on many children and families who attend Camp Goodtimes.

I don't think those that contribute to this incredible place have any idea of the impact of their kindness on children and families as a whole. I will forever be grateful for this beautiful place.

Amory has fond memories of the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team riders who supported him throughout his experience with leukemia.

“Some of them brought me into their families and I grew up with their children as well. I’m still in contact with some of them to this day,” Amory says.

To this day, both Rochana and Amory are grateful for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team, Camp Goodtimes and other members from their community who served as their support system.

20 years after their experience with childhood cancer, Amory and Rochana have both completed law school.

Rochana had always dreamed of being a lawyer and applied to the University of Victoria’s law school when Amory was a little boy. However, Amory was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after, and Rochana could not attend.

But in September 2020, Amory and Rochana enrolled in law school at the same time.

In the summer of 2024, Amory was called to the bar and is now a practicing lawyer in Vancouver. As a member of the Heiltsuk First Nations, Amory is now a passionate legal representative for Indigenous peoples within Canada’s legal system.