Finding Light in the Darkest Days: Carter’s Story

Just before the holidays, Filomena and Natalie were preparing for a season of celebration. The tree was decorated, gifts were wrapped, and their home was filled with anticipation. But as the days passed, worry began to replace excitement. Their three-year-old son, Carter, had a fever that wouldn’t go away.

On the morning of December 23, when Carter took a sudden turn for the worse, his parents rushed him to the hospital. The emergency room was full of children with the flu, and they expected the same diagnosis. Instead, the doctor’s words stopped time: “It’s cancer.”

The news was devastating. Filomena had only recently finished her own cancer treatments, and hearing that her little boy was now facing the same battle was almost too much to bear. “Carter is very, very sick,” the doctor said. “If you hadn’t come today, I’m not sure what tomorrow would have looked like.”

In the days that followed, Carter began chemotherapy. The bright, energetic boy who once filled every room with laughter grew weak and tired. Filomena and Natalie never left his side, spending long days and nights in the hospital, doing everything they could to keep his spirits up.

Then, one day, there was a knock on the hospital room door. It was Campfire Circle. At first, Filomena and Natalie hesitated to accept help – but when the In-Hospital Program Specialists offered to sit with Carter, play with him, and simply hold his hand so Filomena and Natalie could take a break, they agreed. It turned out to be exactly what everyone needed.

Campfire Circle brought light and laughter back into that small hospital room. They discovered Carter’s love for cars and surprised him with a Hot Wheels set. Slowly, smiles began to return.

When Carter was strong enough, he joined other kids at “The Cabin,” a special room at SickKids where campers can gather for crafts and games. Through these moments, his creativity and spark came back.

Filomena says Campfire Circle didn’t just brighten Carter’s days – it gave their whole family hope and reminded them that even in the hardest times, joy can find its way back in.

Help More Kids Like Carter this Holiday Season

Carter’s story is one of 10,000 kids in hospitals across Ontario facing serious illnesses. Campfire Circle’s in-hospital programs reach 3,500 of them, but there are thousands more we can serve with your help.

This holiday season, support Campfire Circle to create more moments of joy for families facing their hardest moments in the hospital. When you give by December 31, 2025, your gift will be matched by Empire Homes, doubling your impact.