What was already an incredibly challenging time was magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the second wave and public health restrictions, Donald and his grandmother were completely isolated from all their friends and family while at the hospital. Connecting with their loved ones virtually was a welcome distraction and provided them with the hope and support they needed to carry on.
The new year brought some relief, but there was still a long journey ahead.
Donald began a new treatment with less side effects and made some improvements in the right direction. On the weekends, his grandmother would take him to different parks and trails to experience the outdoors and visit with family. He had spent so much time inside the walls of the hospital for months that it was a welcome change for both of them.
At the end of the summer, Donald and his grandmother were able to return home. With his cancer now in remission, Donald is happy to be back surrounded by his family and friends. He is working hard at regaining his strength so he can once again do all the things he misses, such as running around and playing tag with his friends. He loves the outdoors and is looking forward to winter when he can ride the snow machine and build snowmen.
Donald will continue with his daily treatments for the next two years and make the trip to Winnipeg twice a month for tests. It's still a long road ahead. Donald and his family are taking it one day at a time while they continue to hope for a future free of cancer. They are extremely grateful for the support they have received from the pediatric oncology team at CancerCare Manitoba.
This November marks the Winnipeg Jets' 10th Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) campaign. Fans have generously raised more than $865,000 over nine HFC campaigns to help local kids just like Donald receive care in Manitoba. There are a number of ways you can continue to support the cause throughout the month, including through the
HFC jersey raffle
which is online for the first time, allowing fans to participate from home. Fans can also support this year's campaign by placing their bid in the HFC warm-up-worn/issued jersey auction from Nov. 25 to Dec. 8 at
Auctions.NHL.com
, as well as by donating directly to CCMF at
biggestfans.ca
or by texting CARE to 20222 to donate $10 or $20.
Join us at the Hockey Fights Cancer game where the Winnipeg Jets will celebrate Donald and this year's youth ambassadors and continue to raise more awareness for the important work of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation -
WinnipegJets.com/TICKETS
.
