In the spring of 2021, our eight-year-old son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was immediately admitted to London Childrens Hospital for treatment at the height of the Covid pandemic and our lives were turned upside down. We had three other children at home and I had no idea how our family was going to make it through this.
On the third day of our hospital stay Renee walked into Ben's hospital room and introduced herself. She was soft spoken, gentle, and had the kindest eyes that showed such understanding and compassion for our pain. She told me that she was the mom of a childhood cancer survivor and handed me a bag. Little did I know at the time that bag was the beginning of Childcan's pivotal role in our lives. The bag contained a handmade quilt, hospital parking pass, gas and grocery gift cards, activities for Ben, hospital meal vouchers, and information about Childcan.
After the initial five weeks in London for treatment, we returned home to Sarnia with Ben and he has continued outpatient treatment for the past two years. Childcan has continued for provide our family with so much support. The parking pass has been used countless times and has saved us thousands of dollars in hospital parking. The meal vouchers have fed us during Ben's many hospital stays and meant we did not have to worry about leaving to get food. A one-time grant helped to pay bills during an extended leave from work. And the support and loving counsel of Renee has been priceless. Our family has attended some Childcan events and our boys have also participated in fundraising for Childcan.
Today Ben is doing well. He is still on treatment but is living a full and active life. I will be forever grateful for the support of Childcan during the most hopeless moments of our lives. They are truly a shining light for families struggling in the darkness of childhood cancer.
