Finding Their Way Back to Each Other

When Amy talks about Campfire Circle, she doesn’t describe a place or a program, she describes a turning point for her family. 

Amy’s daughter Emma was diagnosed with leukemia just weeks before her 11th birthday. “We were completely blindsided,” Amy says. “A totally life‑stopping, life‑altering moment for everybody.” During long days of treatment at London Health Sciences Centre, Campfire Circle staff showed up quietly and consistently offering crafts, colouring pages, and moments of normalcy, even when Emma didn’t always have the energy to engage. 

“It was there,” Amy says. “And even if Emma wasn’t always up for it, she would almost always take what they offered and do it in her own time.” 

As Emma’s treatment stabilized and the family began to re‑emerge from isolation, Campfire Circle became more than just bedside visits. They attended their first family camp at Rainbow Lake in the summer of 2024. 

“That was our first overnight camp experience together,” Amy says. “And it was incredible – the energy, the positivity, the thoughtful planning. Every single detail, from the meals to the cheers to the family guides, was just amazing.”

What stood out most was how welcomed and understood they felt from the moment they arrived. “It didn’t feel like we were new,” Amy says. “Everyone was kind, patient, and made everything simple. It truly felt like, ‘We’ve got you.’” 

Inclusion at camp was also essential. “If you’re wearing a mask, if you don’t have hair, if you have a disability, it doesn’t make you different at Campfire Circle,” says Amy. “You’re just a person. That focus on safety, cleanliness, and respect made it possible for us to relax.” 

The impact of camp on Emma was profound. The following year, she attended her first overnight experience in Muskoka and Amy noticed a change right away. “She almost looked like a different person,” she says. “Not in a loud way, but she carried herself differently. You could tell she felt proud.” 

Emma’s confidence continues to grow and it’s one of the reasons Amy is lacing up her running shoes for the Sporting Life 10K this spring. 

“We’ve benefited so greatly from Campfire Circle,” Amy says. “Running is a way to give back, get the word out, and challenge myself again.” 

She’ll be running alongside family members as part of Emma’s Army, a name born from the incredible support their community showed during Emma’s treatment. 

“It’s about ensuring other families can find the same sense of belonging, joy, and confidence that Campfire Circle gave mine,” she says.