Fear. It’s the number one emotion for a parent who hears their child’s diagnosis is cancer.
For Camille and Jeremy, that fear began on May 24, 2023, when their three-year-old daughter Ella was diagnosed with leukemia. What started as mysterious symptoms in March—large hives, night sweats, fevers with no explanation—had escalated into fatigue, bruising, weight loss, and then inability to walk.
“I had taken her to walk-in doctors multiple times for these symptoms with no success,” Camille recalls. “We were terrified, had so much anxiety and worry.”
It was after an appointment with Ella’s pediatrician who ordered bloodwork, that they were referred to the pediatric specialists at HSC Children’s Hospital.
Over the following months, Ella’s treatment brought the family to many areas of care in Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Day Unit for lumbar punctures to test her spinal fluid, Children’s Emergency Department for febrile fevers associated with cancer, and countless days and nights in the Children’s Hospital Ward CK5, where many children with cancer and severe blood disorders have extended stays.
“The staff do the best work and were supportive of our family,” says Camille. “I cried every day the first month of Ella’s diagnosis. They were there and knew all the right things to say to help. They also were there for Ella when she was scared, crying and fighting. I remember the first night of her diagnosis—my daughter and I were terrified. They allowed my husband to stay late with us until we fell asleep.”
But the space was not as supportive as the care. Camille says the family wishes the rooms had been comforting or child-focused to help take Ella’s mind off the treatment or the family trying to keep their spirits up during the worst time of their lives.
“Rooms in CK5 looked like they were stuck in the 90s—they feel clinical and are not comfortable when staying there.”
Ella and her parents spent more than 300 hours in those rooms. They met families who had stays of many months.
“It’s a horrible time for any parent when your child has cancer,” Camille reflects. “You want something in the room to feel more cozy and homier so you can feel comfortable and help comfort your child.”
Because the fear doesn’t disappear with diagnosis. It grows stronger with every hospital visit, every treatment, every night spent wondering if your child will simply have the chance to laugh, discover, play, and be a child again.
Today, Ella is five years old and finished treatment on August 5. She is happy and healthy, full of the energy that was temporarily stolen by cancer. Her favorite things are crafts, playing soccer, badminton, running, swimming, riding her bike outside, going to Jets games with mom and dad, dancing, singing, and learning new facts about animals and bugs.
“This girl is full of life and easy to please,” smiles Camille.
Her family is grateful for the care she received and that she is in remission. The fear still exists, but they have more hope now. They wish hope, happiness, and family comfort were a greater part of all the ward floors at Children’s Hospital.
“Without Children’s Hospital, my daughter would not be where she is today—healthy and strong,” Camille says. “It’s hard to put into words, but I will forever have a place in my heart for our Children’s Hospital.”
Making hope possible for every family is something she wants to support to give back. That’s why she wants to raise awareness of a campaign at the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. Funds raised will update all in-patient wards starting with CK5, creating spaces that feel more kid-friendly and comforting to families during the most difficult times.
Childhood cancer remains the most common disease-related cause of death with brain tumors, leukemia and neuroblastoma representing the deadliest forms of malignancies for children up to fourteen years of age. So, through the campaign, the Foundation is also funding breakthrough research into childhood cancer with PROMISE research at Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba.
“We want this for other families and for future kids,” says Camille.
Every child who needs Children’s Hospital—whether for acute care, ongoing treatment, or the comprehensive support that families like Ella’s required—deserves an environment that nurtures healing alongside hope. Donor support helps provide not just medical excellence, but spaces where families can find comfort during their most challenging moments, and the research to improve the care these kids need.
When donors #ContinueCaringForKids with a gift to the Foundation, it is an investment into comprehensive care that supports not just the medical needs, but the emotional wellbeing of entire families.
“Thank you for choosing to donate to such an amazing cause,” Camille says. ” There is nothing more important to a parent than their child. They have taken excellent care of my daughter and ensured her cancer was fought hard and fast,” says Camille.
To support families like Ella’s and help create healing environments where hope can flourish, visit goodbear.ca
Stay in touch!
Sign up for e-news to get updates on the latest events, news, and stories.
sign up for the newsletter