Our twin boys started playing in Millbrook Minor Hockey 2years ago, they were 4 and could barely stand on skates in the first few emotionally taxing weeks of practice. It is amazing that in such a short time they have learned to 'fly on ice' and that we have made many wonderful friendships that have extended beyond the hockey arena and helped Millbrook to feel more like home for these urban transplants.
In October of 2009 I reconnected online with a friend I had gone to school with since childhood and all the way through undergraduate studies at university. It was amazing how similar the paths our lives had taken since then were; we were both married to people we had known since our teen years, we both had two boys etc. As we chatted about our families and daily life Cindy shared that her eldest son Trevor had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on November 13, 2008 at the age of 4. It occurred to me that this was shortly after the time period that our boys Benjamin and Mitchell had begun their hockey journey and how fortunate we were that they were both healthy and strong enough to participate in the 'Great Canadian Passtime'.
I learned that Trevor's journey back to health would be a long and difficult challenge for this wonderful little boy and indeed his entire family. Trevor will be in treatment until March 2012; his life until then will be a repeating series of 84 day cycles of spinal taps, IV chemo, steroids, nightly pill chemo, antibiotics and bi-weekly Hospital visits for blood screening and tests to determine his progress.
Cindy painted a positive picture with her effervescent optimism and the statistic indicating that Trevor's prognosis was excellent if he completed the full grueling treatment protocol; he has an 80% chance of a cure. I could read between the lines however and see what a huge impact treatment had on the lives of the cancer warrior and his/her family. Everything in their lives Cindy explained was contingent on hospital visits, test results, reactions to meds, illnesses in the community, school etc. Their lives proceed at Trevor's pace and activities depended on his state of nausea, fatigue, fever etc. Participation in sports and specifically hockey was just not possible for this little boy and his family. Still as Cindy spoke she stated as a matter of fact that they "arm ourselves with hand sanitizer, a thermometer and a first aid kit everywhere we go and we go with the flow at Trevor's pace."
I also learned that Trevor was far enough along in his treatment protocol that provided his blood work results were positive he could receive his in-hospital treatments at the Sick Kids Oncology Satellite Center at Scarborough Centenary Hospital instead of making the trip all the way to downtown Toronto to Sick Kids itself. Cindy and her family were trying to gather donations of toys and funds for the Satellite Center and its patients for the upcoming Christmas Holidays; the center did not receive the attention that Sick Kids itself receives at this time of year.
A small idea began to grow in my mind, what if I presented the information about the toy drive and Trevor's battle with leukemia to the parents and families of the kids on Ben and Mitchell's Myte hockey team? I discussed the option with Glen Hunter the boy's coach and a father of another child on the team and he was in full agreement that we should see what we could stir up for the kids and teens who received treatment at the satellite center. After a quick in locker room conversation with everyone the response was overwhelming; the news spread to a few other teams as well thanks in large part to Scott and Michelle McFadden who had sons on two other teams as well as the Mytes.
Numerous bins were filled with toys, games, movies and items for all ages of patients both male and female. Funds were gathered and given to the Nurses of the unit which they used to stock the 'treasure chest' the patients pick a prize out of after a particularly difficult test or treatment they endure. Trevor was given a Nintendo DS and games for his in hospital treatment days and some remote control Monster trucks were purchased for he and his little brother Eric; who has had to learn at a very young age the art of self sacrifice for the best interest of his older brother.
Our Myte team purchased a Millbrook Minor Hockey Team Jacket for Trevor and made him an honourary member of our team. I emailed weekly game info to Cindy and Trevor and received many emails of congratulations and encouragement back from them for Trevor's new teammates. Trevor and Cindy traveled to Millbrook in February for a home game and although he was struggling with the effects of his steroid pulse treatments at the time, Trevor had a ball cheering on the kids he wished he could be on the ice with.
Cindy stated that according to Nurse Lynn, the staff and patients at the Satellite Oncology Center were "overwhelmed at the outpouring of generosity" (of Millbrook Minor Hockey participants and their families). "When we just kept bringing up more boxes of toys they were flabbergasted! It was Awesome!" Cindy giggled to me on the phone.
All this was accomplished with a few words in a locker room and the open hearts of wonderful hockey Moms and Dads and Grandparents. The kids on the teams were caught up in the spirit too and learned how lucky they are to be well and strong enough to play on team of their peers and feel the ice beneath their blades. We learned more than the rules of a game and the spirit of good sportsmanship; we learned how to see and think beyond ourselves and give a little back for the greater good.
I am thrilled to report that after some ups and downs over the past few months in his health young Trevor is now in remission!! His treatments none the less will continue as previously mentioned until March 2012, along with all the challenges and demands they create. We will again be drumming up donations for the Satellite Oncology Center as the Christmas season approaches so look for notices and bins at the arena. I know that right now they could use new puzzles and boardgames as well as DVD movies for the inpatient kids and the Centers playroom. I am also open to any ideas to raise further funds, donations and awareness about leukemia and other childhood cancers and the Sick Kids Oncology Satellite Center at Scarborough Centenary Hospital so feel free to approach me at the arena or out in the village if you have some thoughts on the matter.
Finally in closing, I would like to thank Millbrook Minor Hockey and the friends it has introduced to us for welcoming my family into the fold and showing my children the true meaning of teamwork and compassion for others. Stay strong young Trevor, your hockey team is cheering you on in the game of your life!
Written by Christina Foster
