Chloe first noticed a strange bump in her cheek last June. She saw her local dentist who referred her to a specialist, but before that appointment could happen, the bump became more painful and worrisome while she was on vacation in Toronto. The 12-year-old, who is Sahtu Dene First Nations from Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, had no idea that moment would mark the beginning of a life-changing journey through cancer treatment, surgeries, and months spent far away from the small northern community she loves.

Before cancer, life in Fort Good Hope was filled with freedom and adventure.

“Where I lived up north, our life was very free and very different to Toronto,” says Chloe. “Think gravel roads, a town of 500 people, lots of hunting and being on the land. It was the type of life where you make your own fun.”

During her family trip to Toronto, Chloe’s growing cheek lump became so painful that she could no longer eat. A visit to the emergency department at SickKids led to a biopsy, where doctors diagnosed her with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that develops in soft tissues.

What followed was an intense and demanding treatment plan. Over 18 months, Chloe underwent chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumour, reconstructive surgery, fertility preservation surgery, and a trip to Florida for a proton radiation treatment recommended by her doctor. Much of that time was spent in hospitals, facing infections, and repeated trips to the emergency room.

“Chemo sucks,” Chloe says.

Throughout her challenging medical odyssey, Campfire Circle became an important source of comfort and connection. While receiving treatment at SickKids, Chloe spent time in The Cabin, Campfire Circle’s activity space inside the hospital, where she could escape the routine of treatment and just have fun.

“Being in the hospital was so boring, and I liked how Campfire Circle brought some fun to my time in treatment,” she says. “I love arts and crafts, so I did lots of melty beads and shrink art with the staff.”

When Chloe felt well enough to leave the hospital, she attended Campfire Circle community programs in Toronto, including a Halloween party and a magic show. Those experiences helped her find connection.

Then, Chloe had the opportunity to attend Campfire Circle’s medically supported overnight camp in Muskoka for a week.

“I made so many friends and great memories,” she says. “Everyone was really nice, and I made a friendship bracelet for everybody in my cabin so we could remember the week.”

At camp, Chloe challenged herself on the adventure course, performed at the closing campfire with her cabinmates, and experienced something she hadn’t felt in a long time: the freedom to simply enjoy being a kid.

“I felt like the Muskoka camp was our own world, where nobody else existed,” she says.

One of Chloe’s favourite memories came during the closing campfire when she created a special piece of shrink art for a group of campers attending their final year.

“I was so nervous to go up to them because they were a big group,” she says. “But they were all so nice, they loved it, and then we all hugged.”

For Chloe, camp gave her a community of people who truly understood.

“To me, my story just shows the importance of Campfire Circle,” Chloe says. “I made lifelong friends, and I feel connected with the people there just knowing that they have experienced something very similar to me.”