In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Matthew Seftel, Medical Director of the Stem Cell Program at Canadian Blood Services. At this moment, there are patients in need of a stem cell transplant. For many, finding a matching donor is their greatest challenge. The Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry recruits volunteer donors who can provide stem cells to patients in need.

Dr. Seftel explains what stem cell transplants are, why patients may need them, who is eligible to join the registry, and how to register. He also walks us through what the donation process involves if someone on the registry is selected to become an anonymous donor.

It is all very remarkable and this is such an interesting conversation. Please listen, and encourage the 17-35 year olds in your life to visit Blood.ca to join the Stem Cell Registry. 

https://www.blood.ca/en/stemcells/donating-stemcells/stem-cells-questionnaire

In this episode, I share my conversation with Ambika. Ambika is the mother of Arya, who was 5 in 2024 when he was diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Ambika and her husband Abhinav reached out to me because they hoped to share their family’s story and wanted the opportunity to talk about all the ways their child’s cancer impacted their family. 

Ambika discusses the unique way her family rallied to support her and her husband while they shared the caregiving responsibilities for their two young children. She also shares some of the challenges they faced along the way, such as the isolation that comes with parental identity loss, how to relate to friends and colleagues when your world is upside-down, and how to handle nutritional challenges when your child simply cannot tolerate most of the foods he used to love. In Ambika's words, "We hope our story can offer comfort and connection to other families and caregivers who may be walking a similar path."

If you would like to share your story, please reach out at [email protected]. 

I know you'll enjoy this episode. 

In this episode, I share my conversation with Zack Sandor-Kerr. Zach is the father of 3 boys, including 10 year old Jasper, who was diagnosed with leukemia in June of 2023. Zack tells us about his experience as a Dad, who has been the primary caregiver for his child throughout his treatment, and what that has been like for him, and his wife Kaitlin. He rightfully raises the issue of inclusive care in both the hospital environment, and in our communities. His perspective is both considerate of others, and an important reminder to all of us to check our assumptions, and consider our words. As a super creative person, Zack also had an interesting way to prepare family and friends for visits to the Sandor-Kerr home during the early days of his son's treatment. If you would like to see a copy of the Tip Sheets that Zack describes in this episode, please email me at [email protected]. 

You can learn more about Zack's art on Instagram, or at storypanda.ca.

In this episode, I’m sharing my conversation with Alexx Friesen. Alexx is a Child Life Specialist who works in Toronto. She has worked with families in hospital settings, as well as in hospice and palliative care. She also has experience in oncology, both as a professional, as well as a patient. She herself is a childhood cancer survivor. Her experience as a patient when she was a child led her to this career and it gives her such a unique perspective and skill set to work with families in these extremely difficult scenarios. She is a kind and happy person who is so creative and insightful into the experiences of children. She is also so well-equipped to be doing this very important work.

You can find Alexx online at @childlifealexx. 

In this episode, I share my conversation with Michelle Da Costa. Michelle is the mother of three girls. Her youngest daughter is a childhood cancer survivor. Michelle is also a Parent Liaison with @OPACC  Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer. I had the fortune of meeting Michelle at a parent drop-in while my own child was in treatment, and our conversation had a deep impact on me. Michelle tells the story of her daughter's experience with cancer, and how it inspired her to become a support and a resource to other oncology parents. It is remarkable how Michelle has turned her own struggle into purpose, and how she shows up week after week, in service of all the families who are now walking the path she travelled so many years ago. 

In today's episode, I am speaking with two representatives from Make-A-Wish® Canada. 

You are very likely familiar with Make-A-Wish Canada. This is the charitable organization that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. But you may not be aware of some of the interesting facts about Make-A-Wish Canada that I learned from this conversation: 

• In 2023, Make-A-Wish Canada brought wishes to 1,389 wish kids and their families across Canada. 
• A wish might be a chance to travel, to meet a celebrity, to have an experience, or to have an item or piece of equipment. And some kids are hoping to realize other dreams like recording a song or writing a book. The wish coordinators are so thoughtful and creative at helping kids to uncover their wishes and bringing them to life. 
• Nearly 50% of children in Canada waiting for a wish have been diagnosed with Cancer. Wishes are considered to be an essential part of treatment and can even improve outcomes.

In the words of Make-A-Wish Canada, “Wishes are transformative, replacing fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope. Make A Wish believes that through these experiences, children can discover that anything is possible.”

If you are interested in getting involved with Make-A-Wish Canada, either to donate, to fundraise or to volunteer, you can find them online at makeawish.ca.

In this episode, I have the honour of sharing my conversation with Jessica Hill. I first learned of Jessica, and her daughter Addy, in September of 2023, when Sick Kids Hospital posted a story about a new initiative called Precision Child Health. 

The post featured an enormous crystal ball that was filled with colourful mist. At the unveiling, beside the crystal ball, stood a family who spoke about the young teen who inspired the campaign. That teen was Addison Hill, or Addy, as she is affectionately called. 

I watched Jessica’s speech, and I was in awe at how a grieving mother could demonstrate such strength and hope, I needed to know more, so I followed along. I went on to learn about Addy’s experience with childhood cancer, and the work that her family has done since Addy's death to raise awareness for angiosarcoma, and to fulfill Addy’s wish to raise funds for cancer research, specifically for the work of Addy’s oncologist and his team, in order to do more for all the other kids out there with this disease. 

Jessica herself is a force. She is tireless, committed, so well-spoken, and approaching this situation with so much grace and compassion. I feel so fortunate to have met her,  and it is my great honour to share her story with you here.

You can learn more, and watch the documentary about Addy at https://www.teamaddy.ca/addys-story
https://www.instagram.com/teamaddy8/

In this episode, we hear the story of actor and comedian Daniel Stolfi. Daniel was diagnosed with Lymphoma when he was 25 years old. Like every cancer warrior, Daniel’s story is remarkable. He kept a journal throughout his treatment, and before his treatment was even over, he wrote and performed an award-winning one-man comedy show called Cancer Can’t Dance Like This. It was met with rave reviews! He has performed this show at venues across North America, and in the process, he has raised more than $100,000 for cancer research.

Daniel has also written a book, his memoir, called The Comedian vs. Cancer. His perspective is so fun, so unexpected and so refreshing. There is just something about being able to laugh along with Daniel to make us all feel a little better about this brutal and unbelievable situation.

You can find Daniel online at youandmeent.com and on Instagram at @stolficomedy. 

In this episode, I am thrilled to share my conversation with Jenny Edmonds, Director of In-Hospital & Community Programs with Campfire Circle. Campfire Circle is a privately funded charity in Ontario that brings laughter and joy to kids and families affected by childhood cancer. 

Campfire Circle is passionate about helping kids to just be kids. These are the cheerful folks who visit your hospital room to play a song on the ukulele, to play a boardgame with your child. They coordinate in-hospital activities, such as painting or crafts, and they have year-round programming outside the hospital, including an overnight summer camp for kids in treatment. Jenny tells us about the history and philosophy of the organization, and all about the incredible programs that are available. 

If you are interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about their programs, you can visit campfirecircle.org.

In this episode, we hear the story of Nicole Raso. Nicole is the mother of 5 year old Luca, who recently completed his treatment for a Wilms tumour, which was found on his kidney in August 2022. Nicole tells us about how she discovered that her son was sick, and the arduous journey that she and her family travelled in order to bring him back to health. 

Nicole also explains why she started her Instagram page @donate4kids. Her mission is to spread awareness about childhood cancer, to share helpful resources for families, and to raise funds for cancer research. Nicole is determined to ensure that childhood cancer patients and their families get the attention they deserve.