On the first day of his most recent chemo in the clinic at the Calgary Childrens Hospital, Mason was informed that he would be having a visit from some Calgary Stampeder players. He got ready for this visit by quickly making a poster that said "Go Riders Go". He taped this poster to his bedside table!
Three Calgary Stampeder players came and visited Mason. They got quite a chuckle from Mason's obvious "RIDER PRIDE" and they told him that he was absolutely right to cheer for his home team and to never let anyone change his own choices. There was another man who came with the players but he didn't get in the photos......he chose to stay out of the pictures and away from the attention, but he has become a very special person to Mason and to our whole family. This man was stricken with cancer, non-hodgkin's lymphoma, when he was fifteen years old. He was a very skilled athlete when he was fifteen and full of energy. His battle with cancer was very long and grueling with many similarities to what Mason has undergone. His name is Vince Danielsen. On top of the strong and loving support of family and friends, Vince remembers that during his own chemotherapy treatments he had a very special visit from Lui Passaglia - the famous placekicker of the B.C. Lions. Vince loved football dearly. When he recovered from his battle with cancer he went on to his own successful 8 year career with the Calgary Stampeders during which he earned 2 Grey Cup Championship rings in 1998 and 2001.
Remembering how Lui Passaglia had gone the extra yard and made such a difference to his own life inspired Vince to start his own "Every Yard Counts Program". As Vince says, "Survival was the product of all the support I received and all the experiences that fueled my positive attitude. I started the "Every Yard Counts Program" to provide children with cancer a one day "getaway" from their treatment schedules. A day where they could have their minds taken away from cancer. A day which, like me, they would never forget." The program was started in June 1997 in unison with the Stampeders and the Alberta Children's Hospital.
Mason received four tickets to the July 1st, Calgary vs Toronto game donated by Vince Danielsen, along with special seating with Vince. The whole family got to go and they were treated royaly. Mason was welcomed to the game by the broadcast announcer, given an autographed hat, an encouragement package and a letter of encouragement from Vince. After the game, Mason, Kale and Dad got a guided tour of the locker room to meet the players and receive autographs (Mum had to wait outside the locker room - LOL)
What a special day it was indeed!
Another never to be forgotten day!
In the locker room with Vince Danielsen. Update on Mason's treatment:
Mason made it through round 5 of chemo for this year on June 27th. Mason once again did a spectacular job - staying positive and impressing the nurses!! As reported earlier, the family managed a quick trip home on July 11th only to be called back to Calgary for more tests on July 16th so they only had 3 days at home, starting and ending with a day of driving. The tests went smoothly and the good news was another day of driving right after the tests were completed! So, the whole family is at home once again and we've had some decent weather, visits with family and friends and even some good times at the lake.
The doctors have been deliberating recently on the next step. We have for some time been aware that one of the most likely scenarios will be a trip to the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children for some rather tricky surgery. It is now appearing that this will be happening in the near future. We will do our best to keep you all posted and thank you for your continuing prayers and support.
