On Valentine's Day, 2019, our world changed forever.

At just two-and-a-half years old, Toby was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer. Like any parent hearing the word "cancer" attached to their child, we were terrified. What followed was a journey filled with hope, heartbreak, resilience, and more courage than we ever thought possible from such a tiny person.

Toby began chemotherapy shortly after his diagnosis. The road was far from straightforward, requiring multiple medication adjustments as doctors worked to find the best treatment approach. Despite everything he endured, Toby continued to face each day with the same determination and spirit that had always defined him.

By late summer of 2019, it became clear that Toby would need a liver transplant. We were transferred to SickKids Hospital in Toronto, where Toby was added to the transplant list. In an effort to buy precious time while waiting for a donor, Toby became the first child in Canada to undergo Trans-Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE), an innovative procedure designed to target his tumour directly.

Then came the call we had been praying for.

On October 17, 2019, Toby underwent a 13-hour surgery and received his new liver. We were filled with hope and gratitude, believing we had finally turned a corner.

Unfortunately, cancer had other plans.

In January 2020, routine scans revealed that the cancer had spread to Toby's lungs. We returned to Toronto in March for lung surgery and were fortunate to make it back home to London just before the COVID-19 lockdown began. More chemotherapy followed after doctors were unable to completely remove one of the tumours.

By the end of August 2020, we received the devastating news that no further treatment options remained. Toby underwent five days of palliative radiation, and then we brought him home.

Those final months became about making memories, sharing laughter, and cherishing every moment together.

On January 25, 2021, Toby gained his angel wings.

While walking alongside Toby through cancer was the most difficult journey our family could ever face, we never walked it alone.

From the very beginning, Childcan stood beside us every step of the way. Their support eased burdens we didn't even realize we were carrying. They provided financial assistance through parking coverage for countless hospital visits in London, meal vouchers during inpatient stays, and gas and grocery cards during months when the financial strain of childhood cancer felt overwhelming.

Beyond the practical support, Childcan gave us something even more valuable: compassion, understanding, and a lifeline when we needed it most.

Renee became a constant source of comfort throughout our journey. She was always just a phone call away—ready to listen, offer guidance, hold a hand through the difficult moments, or share a laugh about Toby's latest antics. We often joked about how hospital staff learned not to expect Toby at morning rounds after his sleep schedule had been completely turned upside down by another inpatient stay. In the midst of fear and uncertainty, those moments of connection meant everything.

After Toby gained his angel wings, Childcan's support did not end. Our family was given sessions of grief counseling. That gift provided a safe place to navigate unimaginable loss and became an essential part of our healing journey.

Perhaps the greatest gift Childcan continues to give us is ensuring that Toby is never forgotten. They continue to honour his memory, celebrate his life, and help us share his story. Through their ongoing support, Toby's legacy lives on, touching the hearts of other families facing the same journey and reminding us that even in the darkest moments, no family should ever have to face childhood cancer alone.

While cancer was part of Toby's story, it never defined who he was.

As the second-born child, Toby seemed to arrive in this world determined to throw the rule book out the window. He was full of personality, curiosity, and mischief. The sparkle in his eyes and the dimples in his cheeks could get him out of almost anything.

He loved counting and showing off his math skills. He had a fascination with everything related to 20th Century Fox. He would sing the iconic fanfare, build the logo out of Lego, draw it repeatedly, and proudly share his creations with anyone who would watch. He was rarely seen without his beloved flamingo fedora, which he wore from sunrise until bedtime.

Toby was a true ham. He loved making people laugh, enjoyed his tea and toast with marmalade, and had a way of filling every room with joy. Even during the most difficult days of treatment, his spirit remained larger than life.

Today, Toby's legacy lives on through the love he shared, the lives he touched, and the memories he created in his short but extraordinary life. His courage continues to inspire us, and his story reminds us to find joy in every day, cherish every moment, and never underestimate the strength of a child.

Toby may have been with us for only four and a half years, but the impact he made will last a lifetime.

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With thanks and gratitude to Lindsay, Toby's Mom, for not only sharing Toby's story, but also for creating and hosting the first ever Toby's Carnival of Courage, a day filled with activities, laughter, food, and entertainment. Learn more and buy your tickets now.