A childhood cancer diagnosis
James Reid was only 2 years old when cancer became part of his family’s lives. Following an E. Coli outbreak at his school, James’s mother brought him to the hospital to get tested for the infection. Although James didn’t have E. Coli, the tests were the first step to finding out he had leukemia.
His diagnosis weighed heavily on the whole family. While James’s parents navigated the difficulties of caring for a child with cancer, James felt that his cancer experience forced him to grow up too quickly.
“You’re expected to be a big boy and not cry too much,” says James.
After going through 3 and a half years of intense treatment, James was cancer-free.
Finding support at Camp Goodtimes
Even after he was cancer-free, James was still dealing with the emotions of his experience. He had trouble processing what he had been through and opening up about his experience. While attending follow-up consultations, he learned about Camp Goodtimes, the Canadian Cancer Society’s medically supervised summer camp for children and their families.
James attended Camp Goodtimes in New Brunswick for the first time in 2008. Here, he found a community of children and families who had also been affected by cancer. Being able to create childhood memories with others who had been through similar experiences was very meaningful.
“As a sick child, I put a lot of pressure on myself, thinking I was less than for being sick,” James explains. “At camp, seeing other kids with their port scars and hearing their stories made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
James attended Camp Goodtimes as a camper until 2016. Feeling compelled to give back to the program after all the support and positivity he’d received, James decided to become a camp counsellor. Until 2021, he helped make Camp Goodtimes a safe and uplifting place for campers.
“I've met these children as a camp counsellor. No hair on their body, going through chemo intensively. But then you'll talk to them, full of joy, full of life, full of desires, full of dreams. The least we can do is try our best to help them fulfill these wishes,” James says. “I realized that the magic comes from making sure you enjoy it as much as the campers do. It’s important to put your energy into each day.”
Today, James is in medical school with the goal of becoming a pediatric oncologist. He is still connected to those who supported him throughout his life and inspired him to do the same for others.
I'm so thankful and grateful for those who supported me throughout my diagnosis, the least I can do is help the next person affected.
Help change the lives of those affected by childhood cancer
.jpeg?rev=4d1743e8e1de48b5a5eaa20db5208b2d&cx=0.49&cy=0.56&cw=260&ch=260&hash=75E17877AB7DE0CDF9198E4D49EC919B)
At camp, seeing other kids with their port scars and hearing their stories made me feel like I wasn’t alone.
Help create a future without cancer
With support from readers like you, we can continue to make a meaningful impact for people affected by cancer.
We are determined to increase survival, stop cancer before it starts, and improve lives. But we can’t do it without you.
If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund the most promising research, compassionate support and transformative advocacy. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.