Curtis Chow Memorial Fund VS Neuroblastoma
Curtis (CJ) started taking Karate lessons when he was just six years old. The sport helped him gain agility and discipline as well as confidence and perseverance – traits that were especially important during his eight-year battle with Neuroblastoma, a rare childhood cancer that Curtis was diagnosed with at age four. Curtis developed a real passion for martial arts and through hard work and determination, he advanced through the belt levels. Throughout his treatment and visits to SickKids, Curtis continued his Karate training and earned his blue belt in 2010.
Despite a five-year remission, Curtis relapsed in 2009. Curtis entered his last Karate tournament on May 29, 2011, the day before he was admitted to SickKids for the last time, where he won 1st and 2nd in Self-Defense and Kata. Sadly, Curtis passed away on July 7, at the age of 12.
The perseverance that Curtis showed in Karate was also shown at his school. He kept up with his classes despite regular outpatient treatment after he relapsed, continuing to enjoy his friends and taking his school work seriously. His attitude left an impression and the teachers, staff and students of Fallingbrook Middle School, where Curtis spent his last school year, decided to take up his fight in his memory.
The first Curtis Chow Memorial Walk took place in October 2011 with close to 700 participants. It has continued annually and become Fallingbrook Middle School’s own legacy – an event where the school community rallies, gets creative and celebrates their amazing accomplishments. The positive energy in the school is contagious leading up to event. They have just finished the 8th Curtis Chow Memorial Walk and have once again surpassed their goal and raised over $9,000. In the eight years since it began, Fallingbrook Middle School has raised over $90,000 for SickKids!
The secret to their continuous success? Strong leadership from the principal, all the teachers and staff, and the ingenuity of the students. From the tried-and-true sales of treats & goods, to opening a sundae bar, creating an escape-room, playing a staff vs students dodgeball match, and building a haunted house – everyone works together to make the event a success, year after year.
When asked what SickKids means to their family, Curtis’ mother replied “We are grateful to all the doctors, nurses and staff for how much they care and for how well they do their job – taking the disease head-on while helping Curtis and our family have the best quality of life. Dr. Baruchel and his team, in particular, fought alongside Curtis and our family since 2003. Dr. Baruchel continues to be personally invested in advancing personalized nuclear medicine to treat children with conditions similar to Curtis.”
The Curtis Chow Memorial Fund was created to carry on the dream of a determined youngster where no innocent children suffer from childhood cancers and no families endure the worries or the loss from the diagnosis. It is an ongoing effort and a meaningful way to keep Curtis’ memory, his fighting spirit & perseverance, alive.
The annual Curtis Chow Memorial Walk held by Fallingbrook Middle School is one of the most significant ways to support the fund, but there are a variety of fundraising activities to support SickKids.
Visit www.curtisfund.ca for more information, to donate or to get inspired to create your own fundraising event. You can also follow The Fund on social media to help spread awareness.
All funds raised support research and programs at SickKids that focus on nuclear medicine, drug therapy, clinical trials and researcher education and development.
The perseverance that Curtis showed in Karate was also shown at his school. He kept up with his classes despite regular outpatient treatment after he relapsed, continuing to enjoy his friends and taking his school work seriously. His attitude left an impression and the teachers, staff and students of Fallingbrook Middle School, where Curtis spent his last school year, decided to take up his fight in his memory.
Karate helped Curtis during his eight-year battle with Neuroblastoma.
The secret to their continuous success? Strong leadership from the principal, all the teachers and staff, and the ingenuity of the students. From the tried-and-true sales of treats & goods, to opening a sundae bar, creating an escape-room, playing a staff vs students dodgeball match, and building a haunted house – everyone works together to make the event a success, year after year.
When asked what SickKids means to their family, Curtis’ mother replied “We are grateful to all the doctors, nurses and staff for how much they care and for how well they do their job – taking the disease head-on while helping Curtis and our family have the best quality of life. Dr. Baruchel and his team, in particular, fought alongside Curtis and our family since 2003. Dr. Baruchel continues to be personally invested in advancing personalized nuclear medicine to treat children with conditions similar to Curtis.”
The Curtis Chow Memorial Fund was created to carry on the dream of a determined youngster where no innocent children suffer from childhood cancers and no families endure the worries or the loss from the diagnosis. It is an ongoing effort and a meaningful way to keep Curtis’ memory, his fighting spirit & perseverance, alive.
The annual Curtis Chow Memorial Walk held by Fallingbrook Middle School is one of the most significant ways to support the fund, but there are a variety of fundraising activities to support SickKids.
Visit www.curtisfund.ca for more information, to donate or to get inspired to create your own fundraising event. You can also follow The Fund on social media to help spread awareness.
All funds raised support research and programs at SickKids that focus on nuclear medicine, drug therapy, clinical trials and researcher education and development.
