Carter’s Breakaway: A Journey of Hope, Courage, and Dreams
Like many sixth graders, Carter enjoys gaming, hanging out with his friends, and playing hockey. Unlike most sixth graders, however, Carter has had to be brave and resilient in the face of cancer.
Carter was only six years old the first time he was diagnosed. He was diagnosed with stage two Wilms’ tumor on his kidney. They removed his kidney and he did 16 weeks of chemo. Shortly after celebrating his two year remission date, the family got the news that his cancer was back and had progressed into lung cancer. Carter underwent 13 rounds of radiation, months of aggressive chemo, and four blood transfusions.
“It was very hard,” shares Carter’s mom Sam. “At some point I really thought I was going to lose my son. But just seeing how hard he fought and wanted to be here gave me hope that he was going to beat it again.”
And he did.
Despite the physical and emotional toll of his battle, Carter never lost his fighting spirit, showing incredible strength throughout his treatment.
A Wish Come True
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an organization that creates life-changing experiences for children battling serious illnesses. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. When Carter was granted his wish, he chose to meet the Edmonton Oilers, his favorite hockey team. A dedicated fan, Carter idolizes star player Connor McDavid, and the chance to meet his hero was an experience of a lifetime.
When asked how he felt about the wish coming true, Carter expressed excitement, though he admitted to being nervous when the big day arrived. One of the most memorable moments for Carter was skating with the Oilers on the ice, though the day was full of surprises. From being featured on the jumbotron to riding in a lively party bus with his family and other kids, it was a time of joy and celebration.
Carter’s story reflects the power of hope, resilience, and the positive impact of organizations like Make-A-Wish. A naturally gifted hockey player himself, Carter hopes to one day be the next Connor McDavid – a goal he’ll surely tackle with his strength and determination.
