By: Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
According to government statistics, childhood cancer is the leading cause of death from disease in children and adolescents in Canada. At any given time, about 10,000 Canadian children are living with cancer, with around 1,500 diagnosed every year.
To keep these children in our heart, September is regarded as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, to help raise awareness of the plight, to help support families, and promote research to aid in improved treatment and support systems. Supporters are asked to wear a gold ribbon in recognition.
Locally, the most prominent group in the fight against childhood cancer is the Fight Like Mason Foundation. Mason Bacon-Macri was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma on Mar 4, 2015 at the age of two. Like the superhero he was, he fought cancer until June 27, 2016.
In honour of Mason and his courageous fight, his parents, Iain and Chantelle, founded Fight Like Mason “to improve treatment, care, quality of life and awareness of patients diagnosed with childhood rhabdomyosarcoma and other childhood cancers.”
“Through everything we’ve done so far and continue to try to do is to use our experiences with childhood cancer, as parents and as a family with Mason, to help guide change,” explains Iain. “Every program and service we’ve created is aimed at helping a child and family at every step of their medical journey: from diagnosis, to remission, survivorship, and even in bereavement. We really focus on providing programs and services that try to empower children and families and help foster some positive memories during their time of hardship and struggle – while grounding the community in the realities of these diseases.”
On August 9, 2017, 17-year-old Justin Jewell of Belle River was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
“I didn’t really notice much of a difference in my health or energy level beforehand, other than I had a few bruises on my arms and my legs had blood spots on my ankles a few days prior,” recalls Justin. “This prompted me to go have bloodwork done, and I was diagnosed that evening at the MET hospital ER. The following morning, I was sent to London Children’s Hospital, where I spent four months through chemo, followed by a stem cell transfusion that December, at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.”
Justin says that due to his age at the time, he was fortunate to receive pediatric care. He credits his deep, personal connection to music as something that helped him through.
“My Seagull 12-string guitar never left my side, and music served as a source of comfort, not only for myself, but for other families who were going through their own respective battles,” he remembers.
At 25, Justin is now a singer-songwriter, performer, and producer.
“The way [cancer] has impacted my life, primarily, would be that it showed me how I could be more interactive with younger people through music, and use music not only as a source of pleasure – but also as therapy,” he explains. “It opened my eyes to teaching anyone how to play an instrument, and what good can come of it. I am now a guitar and ukulele teacher at Sonata Piano Studios in Tecumseh, and I see that time as a “stepping stone” in that direction.
“Among many other projects, I have written and released plenty of solo songs, and I am also currently part of a band, Walker Crown, which I’m actively writing with them as well.”
Justin agrees that raising awareness about childhood cancers is of great importance.
“Childhood cancer is quite common, more so than some may think, and it is important that people have an awareness about it, to help people get a better understanding of it, and to support any of the multiple local organizations whose mission it is to raise funding, so that treatment can be improved to the point where everyone can come together and eliminate the disease.”
The Fight Like Mason Foundation is on the frontlines of the fight against cancer.
“As we have since 2019, we run our annual Lawn Sign Campaign all across Windsor-Essex,” explains Iain. “For a $30 donation ($1 for every day in September), supporters can get a lawn sign to put outside and “Go Gold” with us for the month. Each lawn sign this year is designed with artwork done by children with childhood cancer from across Canada. As a special pre-order bonus, supporters can [participate in the] “Buy 2 & Give 1 Deal” and can get their signs delivered free right on their lawn. Funds raised through the campaign go to support our childhood cancer research grant – for us to defeat the villain for good.”
Justin says there are many ways to support the cause and many local non-profits that you can support in addition to Fight Like Mason.
“[They] work tirelessly to spread awareness about childhood cancer and raise funds in various ways, to help families – like mine before – who are going through their own medical battles and treatment,” states Justin. “Whichever event you may choose to attend, whether it be Fight Like Mason’s “Gold Hair, Dudes Care”, or their annual golf tournaments, or flag raising. Whether it be Childcan’s annual “Rocks for Hope” concerts or LaSalle Pyjama Walk, they are all local ways to support the cause, and raise funds to spread awareness, and put an end to childhood cancer. It all goes to the same cause.”
Help Fight Like Mason Battle Childhood Cancer
“Anyone can show their support this year by either purchasing and displaying their lawn sign proudly, buying and wearing Fight Like Mason swag to spread the awareness, or participate in any community fundraisers going that are supporting the cause,” explains Iain. “One of which is a team Row-a-Thon from All Level Crossfit on Sunday, September 28. We will also be launching our ticket sales for our upcoming 3rd annual show-stopping Halloween Gala event on October 25 [at the Water’s Edge Event Centre in Windsor].
“Community can follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with everything going on, or head to www.FightLikeMason.org and learn more about our programs and more!”
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