Jake's Journey
Jake is on a mission. This Sunday, the four-and-a-half year old will take part in The James Fund Fun Run/Walk in support of Neuroblastoma Research at SickKids. And he wants to raise as much money as he can because, as he says in his pitch when he is asking people to donate, “it will help get Dr. Irwin smarter.”
Dr. Meredith Irwin, Staff Physician in Haematology/Oncology and Senior Scientist in Cell Biology at SickKids, specializes in neuroblastoma research. And according to Jake’s parents, Candice and Steve, it is because of the research taking place at SickKids that Jake is here today.
Jake was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma when he was just seven months old. His parents were devastated when they heard those five words.
“Our world was rocked. When we heard this, we wondered how Jake was going to get through it,” said Candice.
The family’s new reality began after that diagnosis, with 8A at SickKids becoming their home away from home. Needles, blood tests and transfusions, radiation, chemotherapy cycles, CT and MIBG scans, surgeries and a stem cell transplant all became a regular part of Jake’s young life.
Through everything, Candice and Steve were amazed at just how well Jake battled through the treatments he was faced with.
“He was able to, somehow, remain a kid through all of the procedures and tests he was going through. He was an absolute champion. And he came out of it so much older and wiser beyond his years. When you interact with him now, you can sense that he is an old soul.”
It was during Jake’s treatment that the family first learned about The James Fund, which was established by the Birrell Family in honour and memory of their son, James, who passed away while battling neuroblastoma. The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research supports the Neuroblastoma Program at SickKids.
“We always had The James Fund in the back of our minds as one of our biggest allies of the treatments that were being offered to Jake. More than we ever could understand at the time,” said Candice.
"Our world was rocked."
It was through an introduction to an Immunotherapy Study taking place at SickKids that the impact of The James Fund really hit home for Candice and Steve.
“We wanted to do what we thought would be best for Jake, and this study seemed like it could not only benefit Jake, but help doctors at SickKids to learn more about neuroblastoma and hopefully help more kids who were going through what Jake was,” said Candice. “We later learned the Immunotherapy Study was developed out of research that had been funded by The James Fund. We truly believe that, because of the research that led to Immunotherapy, our son is alive today.”
Jake is very excited to take part in this Sunday’s Fun Run/Walk along the Scenic River Road Trail at Trent University. As he told his Junior Kindergarten teacher recently, “I run for Team Jake and I am the winner of the run every year because I am beating cancer.”
It is these moments that Candice and Steve are most grateful for.
“Jake absolutely loves Junior Kindergarten,” said Candice. “He loves to read, to learn, even to do homework. We are getting the chance to appreciate all the small things in life and see it all through Jake’s eyes. I don’t think we can ever say thank you enough for what SickKids has done for us.”
If you live near the Peterborough area, come out and support The James Fund Fun Run/Walk this Sunday, October 16 at 10am. Can’t attend but want to support? Jake would love your support “to help get Dr. Irwin smarter.” You can donate to Team Jake’s fundraising efforts by visiting the team’s event page.
