THANK YOU

Every year, Kids Cancer Care chooses a spokeskid to represent the charity at various events throughout the province. These incredible kids help raise awareness about childhood cancer by sharing their cancer journey and how the various programs offered by the Kids Cancer Care foundation has helped has helped them during their treatment and recovery.
 

Meet our 2022 Spokeskid Amanda. When Amanda was two, she was diagnosed with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) and AML (acute myeloid leukemia). She spent the next five months in the hospital, undergoing total body irradiation and a bone marrow transplant. A couple of years later, in 2008, Amanda was ready to start pre-school when she relapsed. This time, she had only a 30 per cent chance of survival.

While Amanda has been cancer-free for years, her list of treatment-related side effects is endless. With only 70 per cent lung capacity, cataracts, artificial lenses, extremely brittle bones along with dental implants and reconstructive jaw surgery in the future, Amanda is looking at a lifetime of medical issues. She will need to see specialists multiple times a year for the rest of her life. None of this stops Amanda. She is an active participant in our PEER exercise program, which helps her to manage some of the treatment-related side effects. Amanda is also developing leadership skills through the Teen Leadership Program, organizing fundraising events and volunteering at local non-profits. A 2022 Kids Cancer Care spokeskid, Amanda also represents the foundation at fundraising and awareness events across southern Alberta.