Memorable moments, wherever you are

One Camper made our virtual campfire incredibly special. We were just getting ready to sing the goodnight song when one Camper’s mom asked if her nine-year-old son could “ring the bell.”

The ringing of the bell is a tradition across Ontario paediatric oncology centres to signify and celebrate the end of a child’s treatment.

Then it dawned on us—although he got to ring the bell at the hospital already, there were likely very few people gathered due to strict rules on social distancing.

Now that he was surrounded by camp friends and family ready to celebrate this incredible milestone with him—even though it was virtual—he could really have the moment he’d been waiting for.

This Camper’s mom had even brought a full-sized bell for him to ring with pride! Everyone celebrated him together, just like always!

*Camper and family names and images have been changed to protect privacy

A young Camper who regularly attends our virtual circle time every week was at SickKids for an appointment. When he saw Program Specialist, Linda (someone who he sees all the time virtually, but had never met in person) he was so overwhelmed with excitement, he started jumping up and down yelling “Linda! Linda! Linda!” over and over again.

Linda also started jumping up and down and described the moment as feeling a bit like a “celebrity encounter” for the both of them.

Later that week during Circle Time, the Camper told us all about how he got to meet Linda “in real life”.

When we asked him what she was like in real life compared to the screen, he said it was different because “she had a ponytail . . . and she was wearing pants!”

*Camper and family names and images have been changed to protect privacy