The Dunbar Family (Dave, Suzanne, Kayla, Marissa & Quinn) were surprised and shocked to learn that Quinn’s long “sickness” during the summer of 2002 was in fact Cancer. In Sept. ’02 Quinn was diagnosed (at 6.1/2 years old) with a brain tumour – Medulloblastoma. After surgery, Chemotherapy followed, along with 31 doses of radiation to the head and spine ending on Christmas Eve ’02. Then, a month later (before starting a year of Chemo) an MRI revealed four new tumours in his spine. After 6 months of “heavy” Chemo, the Oncology Team decided that a “Stem Cell Rescue” would be best. On July 22/03 at Children’s, Quinn rec’d approx. 6 months of Chemo in 6 days , was then moved to the transplant room, injected with his own blood stem cells, and was finally discharged on Aug. 22/03 – a month later. For insurance, Quinn rec’d another 13 radiation doses to his spine in December of ’03.

What followed was a tense two years of constant medical follow ups and MRI’s … but, no Cancer. Then the devastating news that Quinn’s cancer returned (in Oct. ’05), as a new brain tumour and a spinal tumour showed up on the MRI checkup. Since then it has been a non-stop battle with Chemotherapy, sickness, specialized radiation treatment in the USA. and the constant search for a cure. Throughout all of this, Quinn (now 12.1/2 yrs old and a Grade 7 student) has remained very bright and cheery – a model student for his teachers and a model patient for his doctors and nurses. It was only through the great help of family, friends, church, Quinn’s elementary school and many unnamed others that have kept this journey from becoming unbearable. It was during the two years where we thought we had cancer beat that we discovered CCFS. We decided to get involved, as we saw many families without the kind of support that we rec’d. Also due to the fact that we were shocked by the costs that families incur, and what our medical system didn’t cover. (We understand why some families lose their cars, their homes and sometimes their marriages – financial pressure is the last thing they need when they have a child, sick with Cancer!)

In March, 1998, our son, Andrew, complained of numbness on the front of his leg. He was 15, and his brother Richard was 17. After a number of routine visits to doctors, he was diagnosed with an astrocytoma tumour in his spinal cord, a rarity altogether, particularly in a juvenile, and generally a benign type of tumour. He had surgery in June to remove the tumour, which initially was thought to be benign, but after a thorough biopsy was found to be malignant. Andrew went through 26 radiation treatments and then chemotherapy and appeared to be recovering his strength. Then suddenly in December he rapidly lost his strength and underwent another operation to remove cystic fluid in his spine, but the tumour continued to grow. He stayed on chemo, consisting of injections and pills through the first half of the year, all the while becoming progressively paralyzed starting from his legs and then up his body. Despite his unwavering spirit and determination, Andrew died in September, 1999, at age 17 having spent his last two birthdays in the hospital.

During treatments for Andrew’s illness at BC Children’s we became aware of how many families were struggling, not only with the emotional impact of having a child with cancer but with the worry of trying to make ends meet because of the financial toll of taking care of their sick child over a long period of time. We lived near the hospital, Cecilia had flexible work hours, and we did not have younger children to take care of so we were better able than most families to bear the financial burden.

After Andrew died, to honour his memory, we began fundraising to help families who were struggling financially. We worked closely with the social workers at the hospital who helped steer the money to families in need. We subsequently joined forces with the Childhood Cancer Parents Association, a group of wonderful, like minded people, whose main goal is to provide financial and emotional support to families who have a child with cancer.

Though I’m one of two Directors on the Board that has not gone through cancer treatment with a child, I have seen firsthand how a family is affected by their child’s diagnosis of cancer, and the battle they undertook to find a cure. My good friends of 30 years and fellow Board Members Dave and Suzanne lost their son Quinn to cancer after a 7 year battle.

I saw how cancer affects a family not only emotionally but also financially. Knowing how important an organization like CCFS is to Dave and Suzanne and the families that CCFS supports, I decided to join the Board in 2014. There is an amazing group of dedicated people on this Board that work tirelessly to make a difference, and I’m honored to be working with them.

 In December 2014, our world was turned upside down. Our 3-year-old son wasdiagnosed with blood cancer—Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). We were in Indiawhen we heard those words, and it felt like everything was crashing down. As parents,we began the long, grueling process of treatment, hoping every day that our son wouldget better. After three and a half years of endless hospital visits, treatments, andstruggles, in March 2018, he was declared cancer-free. We thought we had won andthat life would return to normal.

In March 2018, we moved to Canada, adjusting to a new country and a new life. But inOctober 2018, during a routine check-up, we got the news that the cancer had relapsed.We found ourselves back in the hospital, fighting once again. After another two and ahalf years of treatment, in November 2020, we thought we had beaten it again.But in January 2021, we learned the cancer had returned. This time, it was even harderto bear. Our son, though, was still smiling, still ready to fight. We pressed on, and thistime, with a bone marrow transplant. For a while, things looked up, but just threemonths later, the cancer came back once more. We didn’t give up. We tried CAR-Ttherapy, which brought hope, but another transplant was needed. And so, we fought on,hoping against hope.

But in July 2023, our son began complaining of stomach pain. The cancer had spread tohis organs. We lost him in September 2023.These nine years were filled with emotional highs and lows, but through it all, we foundsupport in the Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCFS). Their financial help was crucial,and it made us realize how many other families were in need of that same support.We vowed to give back, so no one else would have to face what we did. We want tohelp families who are in the same battle, offering not just financial assistance, but theemotional support we once received. No one should have to face this journey alone.Our son, Jihaan, taught us the true meaning of strength, resilience, and hope. Now, wewant to pass that on to others.

In 2016, Shyla, our two year old daughter at the time became ill. We thought she had the stomach flu and when she wasn’t getting better, we took her to BC Children’s Hospital for further assessment. After a CT scan, the doctors discovered a tumour the size of a golf ball in her bladder. They told us something no parent ever wants to hear: “your daughter has cancer”. We were shocked, devastated and in disbelief that this was happening to our precious little girl. Shyla was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a childhood cancer that forms in soft muscle tissue.

It was extremely heartbreaking to witness our daughter endure the harsh treatments that was supposedly destroying the cancer yet weakening her tiny body. Despite all the hardship, Shyla remained her calm, spunky and joyful self.

As her parents, being on the journey with Shyla and her battle against cancer came with many challenges emotionally and financially. Thankfully, Suzanne & Dave of Childhood Cancer Family Support (CCFSupport) were there for us and helped shine light during our darkest of times.

CCFSupport provided us with countless Starbucks gift cards which allowed us to buy one of Shyla’s favorite treats from there (the Birthday Cake Pops). They also provided us with many practical and much needed gifts such as gas and grocery gift cards- although, Shyla would ask “Can we trade those in for a Starbucks one?”.

Shyla had a special way of making everyone around her smile. Our beloved daughter took her last breath on Dec 18, 2019 on the eve of her 6th birthday at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver, BC. In honour of Shyla’s memory, we created Shyla Spreads Hope and Wings of Gold, community initiatives that are committed to bringing awareness to childhood cancer and fundraising for CCFSupport to help more families in need.

I am continuously moved by the dedicated members of CCFSupport and have joined their Board of Directors to be part of their mission in helping families affected by childhood cancer and/or blood disorders. I truly believe that giving back heals the heart and together we can make a difference.