Four-year-old Wade's journey with McMaster Children's Hospital began with a persistent fever. A visit to his family doctor back in 2023 prompted a trip to the local hospital in Cambridge. There, initial blood tests suggested Wade had leukemia. This revelation catapulted him into the specialized care of McMaster Children's Hospital, the only hospital in south-central Ontario with an inpatient pediatric cancer program.

Upon their arrival at McMaster Children's Hospital, Wade's family was immediately enveloped by a team ready to provide both medical care and emotional support. Wade’s mother, Nichole, started the day thinking she’d leave her doctor’s office with a prescription for antibiotics. Now her baby had been rushed by ambulance to another city with a probable cancer diagnosis. She felt like she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Everything was happening so fast. Seeing her distress, the team got Wade settled so they could take the time to reassure Nichole and her husband, Adam, that they were in the best place for Wade.

The Best Place for Wade

The following days were a blur of procedures: bone marrow tests, lumbar punctures, x-rays and surgery to install a port for treatment. The tests confirmed a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, B-cell. The doctors explained the treatment protocol to Nichole and Adam. Wade was facing an over two-year journey. It would be long, but the likelihood of success was high. Still, the news was overwhelming, and so the team allowed Nichole to take it in one day at a time. “They gave me the information as I needed it, they broke it down to what I needed when I needed it,” says Nichole, grateful for the team’s understanding and respecting that she was not in a head space to be overloaded with information.

Wade began his cancer treatment on his third birthday. The staff decorated his door with Paw Patrol stickers and left notes of best wishes to make the day special. Wade spent the next 17 days in hospital. For several months he visited the clinic twice a week as an outpatient. Today, Wade only returns to the hospital once or twice a month for bloodwork, port flushes, and occasional chemotherapy with maintenance treatments keeping his recovery on a promising trajectory.

Comprehensive Care for the Whole Family

The care Wade received extended well beyond medical intervention. Every aspect of Wade’s well-being was considered, from pain management to psychological support. One of the critical elements of Wade’s care has been the involvement of Child Life Specialists. They used drawings and stickers to illustrate what was happening to Wade in an accessible, calm and clear manner helped reduce his anxiety and his families’.

Child Life Specialists also took care to consider Wade’s six-year-old brother, John, whenever he was in the hospital to visit his brother. One standout memory for Nichole was when a nurse created a ‘superhero medicine’ bag to cover Wade's blood transfusion so John wouldn’t be alarmed. “I almost cried when I saw it,” remembers Nichole. “She heard me and my concerns and went to do this unprompted. She went so far above and beyond.”

This holistic approach is a hallmark of MacKids’ pediatric oncology program. The hospital recognizes that a child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment affects their whole family. Providing specialized care, compassionate staff, and a comprehensive support systems is vital for families navigating the unimaginable.

A Lifeline for Families

Dealing with childhood cancer is a marathon, and McMaster Children’s Hospital is there for families every step of the way. Wade’s cancer treatment is expected to conclude in May 2025, but he will be closely followed by the MacKids team until he turns 18.

For families like Wade's, McMaster Children's Hospital is more than a medical facility; it is a lifeline. Last year, over 70 children like Wade were admitted to its pediatric oncology program. The number of children being referred to MacKids for cancer treatment and other life-threatening conditions is growing, highlighting the urgent need for support to maintain and grow its life-saving programs. Supporting McMaster Children's Hospital means investing in children like Wade, ensuring they receive the best possible care and the chance to lead healthy, happy lives.

“If you’re donating to McMaster Children’s Hospital, it’s life-changing for the child and their family: in terms of the care they receive, the comfort for the child and the treatment,” says Nichole. “It has saved Wade’s life. We can never give back what we have received. For him to go somewhere and receive the best care is more than we can ask for as parents.”

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