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After battling cancer, a family rallies to help others in need

Register today for the RBC Race for the Kids: Home Edition
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This May, Thariq and his family will lace up for one of BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital Foundation含羞草研究社檚 signature events, RBC Race for the Kids: Home Edition. For 35 years, BC含羞草研究社檚 largest family fun run has pushed the limits of what含羞草研究社檚 possible in childhood cancer and mental health care.

Shawna Imeson will never forget the day in the winter of 2018 that her life was forever changed. While she sat in a room with her husband and a team of specialists at BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital, she received news that brought her to her knees: her three-year-old son had cancer.

含羞草研究社淚t was a heart-wrenching, stomach-twisting moment,含羞草研究社 she recalled. 含羞草研究社淪ince then, our family has been through awful moments 含羞草研究社 but I would take those over hearing 含羞草研究社榶our son has cancer含羞草研究社 again.含羞草研究社

Weeks earlier, Thariq had a slight fever. At first, his parents thought it was a flu 含羞草研究社 but his symptoms became so severe that he could barely stand. Thariq was rushed to BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital, where he was diagnosed with stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer that begins in nerve tissue.

含羞草研究社淚 remember every night for that first month falling asleep and hoping that this was a bad dream,含羞草研究社 Shawna said. 含羞草研究社淲hile trying to process how sick our boy was, we also had to discuss treatment.含羞草研究社

Experts at quickly developed an intensive plan that included chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, radiation and immunotherapy, which harnesses the body含羞草研究社檚 immune system to fight cancer. Over the next 18 months, Thariq endured 50 blood transfusions, four bone marrow biopsies, endless needle pokes, and hundreds of nights spent away from home.

Eventually, the treatment plan worked. In July, Thariq was declared in remission. Fast forward to today, and the six-year-old is now in kindergarten and living each day to the fullest. Thariq含羞草研究社檚 family is forever grateful for the care they received at BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital 含羞草研究社 so when they learned they could help other kids and families battling childhood illnesses, they immediately stepped forward.

By registering for RBC Race for the Kids, supporters help advance childhood cancer programs and research, and support critical mental health initiatives at BC Children聮s Hospital.
By registering for RBC Race for the Kids, supporters help advance childhood cancer programs and research, and support critical mental health initiatives at BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital.

This spring, the whole family will be lacing up their runners to take part in one of BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital Foundation含羞草研究社檚 signature events, RBC Race for the Kids: Home Edition. For 35 years, BC含羞草研究社檚 largest family fun run has pushed the limits of what含羞草研究社檚 possible in childhood cancer and mental health care. And for the second year, it含羞草研究社檚 being held as a virtual race that includes a month含羞草研究社檚 worth of fun-filled activities to help families stay healthy throughout May, as well as a race day celebration on June 6 that registrants can join from the comfort of their homes.

By registering for , supporters are helping advance childhood cancer programs and research, such as studies aimed at bringing novel therapies to the 20 per cent of kids with cancer who don含羞草研究社檛 respond to traditional treatments. Funds also support critical mental health initiatives at BC Children含羞草研究社檚 Hospital, ensuring kids from across the province 含羞草研究社 including for the 70 per cent with mental health challenges who don含羞草研究社檛 have the expert care they need 含羞草研究社 gain access to mental health resources and care.

含羞草研究社淒onors played such an important part in helping us through our journey,含羞草研究社 Shawna said. 含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e thrilled to have the chance to support other kids and families, while we have fun and stay active as a family.含羞草研究社

Register for RBC Race for the Kids at .



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