Sophie’s Strength

Sophie has been battling cancer since the age of three. Diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, doctors found 21 tumours in her body. On the first day of her vigorous treatment plan, Sophie and her family were introduced to Campfire Circle. Enduring 50 chemotherapy and radiation sessions, 21 rounds of immunotherapy, and an 11-hour surgery, Campfire Circle brought Sophie joy while she spent over 200 days in the hospital.

Sophie was starting to feel more like herself—she was able to attend Campfire Circle community programs and family camp at Rainbow Lake, and she began going back to school. Then, in January, Sophie started complaining about pain in her legs. A scan revealed a new tumour that wrapped around her spine, pinching her nerves, causing intense pain. Once again, Sophie required continued care and attention. She only attended school for a total of two days this year, as numerous hospital visits and ongoing treatment became the norm for her and her family. For Sophie, camp was the space where she could be a kid again laughing, playing, and making memories that had little to do with her illness.

For her parents, seeing Sophie happy again was everything. From the first time Sophie attended camp, something clicked. For a child who had spent so much of her young life in and out of hospital rooms, camp was a place of freedom, fun, and pure happiness.

“She’s having so much fun, getting to do so many things,” says Robin, Sophie’s dad. “As a parent, the best thing is to know your child is happy. Camp makes Sophie happy.”

Sophie and her family have taken their love and gratitude of camp one step further by lacing up for the Sporting Life 10K in support of Campfire Circle. Led by Robin, the team has grown from 23 participants in 2023 to 75 this year, and they’re ready to give back to the place that brought so much joy to their daughter.

“Campfire Circle has given us so much. This event is our way of paying it forward—to help bring that same happiness to other kids and families walking similar paths.”