“When we were thrown into this cancer world, we were disoriented and lost. Kids Cancer Care was our only anchor, allowing us to stop spinning and stop spiraling into despair…. We are so grateful for Kids Cancer Care.” — Amanda
Easton was just finishing up grade four in June 2023 when he started experiencing neck pain and nausea. He’d taken a hit to the head from a soccer ball a few weeks earlier, so his parents Amanda and Jeff were worried it was a concussion. When his parents learned that Easton was also experiencing vision problems and seeing double, they were even more concerned. What they didn’t know is that with morning vomiting, Easton was showing signs of a pediatric brain cancer. After several doctors’ appointments and a series of tests, including an ultrasound, X-ray, blood work, and an eye exam, the Moppett-Beatches were still no more knowledgeable about their son’s condition.
One morning, Easton woke up with neck pain so severe it brought him to tears and later vomiting. His parents rushed him to emergency. A CAT scan, followed by an MRI, confirmed that Easton had a brain tumour. Their world shattered.
Within a week, Easton had undergone two brain surgeries to remove the tumour. They were intense, risky procedures as the tumour was dangerously close to his brain stem. A biopsy of the tumour revealed that Easton had medulloblastoma — an aggressive pediatric brain cancer. The tumour was the size of a golf ball.
“Words cannot express what it was like to wait during this time,” says Amanda. “We held his hand in the PICU until the next morning at 9 am, just waiting for him to wake up, to talk, so we could finally breathe again.”
Jeff agrees: “It was the worst news. We could hardly bear to tell him. Two brain surgeries in one week. It was almost unbearable for all of us.”
During the second surgery, the surgeon was able to remove 100 per cent of the tumour. That was the good news.
The bad news was that Easton could not move after the first surgery. That would mean another 21 days in the hospital, relearning to swallow, drink, eat, sit and walk.
Easton was barely walking again when they had to leave for Jacksonville, Florida where he received 30 rounds of proton radiation. Later that fall, Easton was back in Calgary, beginning a six-month chemotherapy protocol.
After more than a year of invasive medical procedures, harsh side effects, and intense fear and uncertainty, Easton finally treatment. Amanda recalls the day fondly: “He burst into tears as his class took a field trip to surprise him in the backyard, ringing bells to mark his last chemo treatment.”
That support meant everything to Easton, and with your support, Kids Cancer Care could also be there for him.
You’re helping create kinder classrooms
Working one-to-one with Easton, our child life specialist co-created and co-presented a customized Cancer in the Classroom session for his grade five class. Thanks to your support, this unique program helps school children understand cancer and its impact on their classmate. Fostering greater understanding and empathy in school children, Cancer in the Classroom helps prevent bullying and builds character and school spirit.
With each session, the class receives a Monkey in My Chair who occupies the desk of the sick child while they’re away. The monkey offers school children a tangible and playful focus around which they can interact.
In Easton’s class, the big question was always, “What hat are you bringing for the monkey?” When Easton was too sick to come in, his sister Ellie would bring in the hat for him. Since Easton is a big hockey fan and player, the monkey often wore a Tampa Bay Lightening cap and a Team Easton sweatshirt. His family created Team Easton sweatshirts and later sold them at the school. The initiative increased understanding and support for Easton while raising $5,550 for Kids Cancer Care.
“About 75 per cent of his school happily wears their Team Easton t-shirts daily,” says Amanda. “It was a wonderful way for the school to think of Easton and remember him as he would be leaving school again in October for six months of chemotherapy.”
You’re helping kids rebuild their strength
Your support helped Easton rebuild his strength through our PEER exercise program. Working one-to-one with our Ph.D. exercise specialist, Easton gradually returned to his former self.
“These weekly sessions have helped Easton regain his strength, balance, coordination and most importantly his playfulness!” says Amanda.
Designed by a team of pediatric cancer care professionals, PEER helps children combat the deconditioning effects of cancer and its harsh treatments while reducing side effects.
You’re helping the whole family
While Easton was busy at PEER, Ellie was busy at PLUS, a five-week program for siblings. Amid the chaos of a child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, undiagnosed siblings can feel left out and alone. Thanks to your support, PLUS was there to offer Ellie a safe space to explore her feelings and ask questions.
You’re giving families the respite they need
Your generosity also provided the whole Moppett-Beatch family a weekend away at Family Camp where they connected with other families and participated in an array of activities from archery to ropes, giant swing, and arts and crafts.
“We had an awesome time,” says Amanda. “Easton and Ellie made friends and LOVED the camp counsellors.”
“When we were thrown into this cancer world, we were disoriented and lost,” says Amanda. “Kids Cancer Care has been an anchor for us, allowing us to stop spinning and stop spiralling into despair. A ‘village’ for us to settle into, as we slowly stopped to breathe, recover and learn in this new world. We are so grateful for Kids Cancer Care and will continue to do everything we can to support, advocate and fundraise for such a wonderful local charity supporting cancer families.”
Thank you for being on Team Easton and for being part of our village.
Special thanks to the Flames Foundation for supporting our PEER exercise program and Canada Post for igniting our PLUS program.
Some beautiful pictures of Easton and his family.
