Super Ethan’s Steps began as an idea in the early weeks of January, 2014 after our son, Ethan, was diagnosed with Pre-Cursor B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He wasn’t even 2 years old. After a number of hospital visits and alarming symptoms, which included him losing the ability to walk or crawl, our family was shockingly pushed into this new life that centered on all things Childhood Cancer. Not only did we quickly earn a new education on this terrible disease but we also became witness to the devastating perils it brings to countless families every day. We lived through it for three and half years. Our lives centered around it every single day during that time.
Barely a toddler, it was primarily E’s spirit that got us through the countless trying times that the Leukemia, medications and its side effects brought our family. How could this fragile and very sick baby boy hold such strength and laugh when he was fighting off such a terrible “bad guy” inside of him? How could so many other children like him, continue to do the same? And how could we make something positive out of this terrible situation for him and these children?
In Ethan’s hospital room, we decided that no matter what obstacles or struggles our family went through, we were going to create something positive for Ethan and children like him fighting Cancer. We were going to try our very best to bring awareness to what these children had to go through. We wanted to say thank you to those organizations and facilities that helped our family through Ethan’s journey. Most importantly, we wanted to illustrate how brave the children are and how prevalent Child Cancer is within Windsor-Essex.
So, Super Ethan’s Steps began with the first event held in September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) of 2015. Over the last few years, over $30,000 has been raised at this event for organizations that help families affected by Childhood Cancer. Children’s Health Foundation, Paediatric Oncology Unit at Windsor Regional Hospital and the Fight Like Mason Foundation have been past recipients of these efforts and we are so proud to have been able to showcase their commitment to children, like Ethan.
This year ALL PROCEEDS will be donated to the Children & Family Centred Programs at The Hospice of Windsor-Essex. These programs have helped numerous families within the community who have been affected by terrible illnesses, including Childhood Cancer. Our family has taken part in many of these free programs and events that The Hospice offers. The staff and volunteers are incredibly kind, patient and supportive. But above everything, this organization has shed a bright light on challenging times through our journey with Childhood Cancer. Without a doubt, The Hospice has helped our child through his battle and continues to do in more ways than we can explain. We know that they have done the same for many other children in the community as well during their difficult illnesses. For these reasons, and many more, we are forever thankful to The Hospice.
Today, Ethan is more than a year post-treatment. Despite the transitions and struggles, he is a very happy, energetic and fun-loving boy who looks back on his Cancer journey as a battle with the bad guys that his superpowers defeated. He is a Superhero.
We hope that you will join us on September 30th at Lakeside Park in Kingsville to continue raising awareness for children like Ethan within the community affected by Cancer, while also raising funds for an amazing cause. Thank you.
Photo Credit: Mark Caza Photography
