Gold. For those affected by childhood cancer, the colour has significance. For James, who just returned from the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championship with a gold medal for Team Canada, it has an extra-special meaning, given his journey to get there.
James was just a regular, active kid who played every sport and like so many Canadian boys dreamed of becoming a hockey player. Just before his 11th birthday, a swelling and pain in his right knee took him to the hospital. There were tests, x-rays, a biopsy, and an eventual diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Cancer. James’ first question to the doctor was: “When will I be able to play hockey again?”
Before hockey, came chemo. Chemo started in November 2011. By February of 2012, James was told that to save his life his leg needed to be amputated. He was given three options, a full amputation, removing the bones, or rotationplasty. Of course, James picked the one that gave the best chance of mobility. The rotationplasty was a 21-hour surgery, removing the tumour, but reattaching the foot so that it worked as a knee, connecting veins, tendons, and more. “It meant that my foot worked backwards, and I had to retrain my brain to think differently.” Grinning, James said, “My toenails are still growing”. He explained that the decision for amputation was made very quickly, but he’s now happy with the choice he made.
After the surgery, James continued with chemo and was nearly finished. However, just one month before completing his treatments, a routine scan revealed a spot on his right lung, prompting the restart of chemo. “I couldn’t eat, I was on a feeding tube. It got to the point where we were asked if we needed to go home so I could live out my last few days. I was determined to fight to the end. My parents were determined too, and I drew on their strength. Instead of going home, they changed up my chemo. I started eating again and the tumour started to shrink until it was small enough for surgery to remove it. My final treatment was in 2013.”
James remembers Childcan covering parking costs and helping with meals. “It meant my parents didn’t have to worry about one more thing”. While in hospital James met Tyler McGregor, who was playing sledge hockey. It was Tyler who got James on the ice on a sled for the first time. “It was towards the end of my treatments, and every week it gave me something to look forward to.”
James was 15 years old when he was picked to be on Team Ontario, and then the National team. At just 17 years old, James, accompanied by his parents and siblings, embarked on an incredible journey to the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, returning triumphantly with a silver medal! He didn't stop there, securing another silver at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. But the crowning moment of his career was winning gold in Calgary, defeating the United States 2:1 on home soil, with his family cheering him on. James will never forget that thrilling victory!
“I’m living out my dream. Tyler is Captain of the team and so it’s come full circle.”
Summer is their off-season, and James is in the gym training 5 days a week, with an eye on the next year’s World Championship and (knocks on wood) the 2026 Paralympics in Italy. In his ‘spare’ time, James is a motivational speaker for RBC, spreading his message of the power of positivity, focus, and achieving your goals.
Thank you, James, for sharing your story. We are cheering for you all the way!
