Out & About

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I was speaking with someone Monday who was telling me of her plans to travel east and visit her friend one last time. Monday night she phoned to tell me that although all her travel arrangements are made she wouldn’t get to say goodbye in person to her friend. Cancer had already taken her life. It went very fast and sometimes that is a blessing. We hear of these stories far too often. I once knew a little boy named Rocket. I had the honour of interviewing him for the Children’s Miracle Radiothon. Rocket was only four years old but was very smart and knew what he was facing, as much as a four year old could, understand. The day I interviewed Rocket and his mom he was so weak, so tired, so swollen and so sick. I had to turn my head away many times during that interview as to not let this strong mother and brave little boy see that I was not as strong, and when the interview was over I had to walk away just to feel like I could breathe. Interview after interview of sick children, and then at the end of the radiothon I noticed my friend’s son had been standing around a lot and watching that day. I walked down off the stage and he told me his mom had passed away and he was waiting around to tell me. It was a day I will never forget. It was very emotional for many reasons.
Nothing tears at your heartstrings more than hearing of a sick child. Then to hear from the mother of sweet little Rocket that he was gone but she wanted me to know that he said he wished he could talk to me again and help more children.
Tori Yetman held her third annual fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society inspired by the deaths of her friends, including Rocket Spence, who succumbed to leukemia at the age of four, and Matthew Berard Stevens, who died of bone marrow cancer at 14. Tori raised $17,000 on her first run in 2008, $14,500 last year and just completed her 2010 run and I was lucky enough to see Tori at Paint Lake Marina where she was having breakfast before her last leg of the trip to Thompson. Tori looked great and proudly wore a t-shirt with a photo of Rocket. Tori would overnight in Thompson and continue on to Mile 35 to participate in a traditional Cree ceremony before arriving home in Nelson House on Monday where in the true spirit of her home they would welcome her with a feast.
The community of Nelson House has been a huge support to Rocket’s family over the years and has kindly giving donations to the annual Relay For Life in Thompson in Rocket’s memory. Rocket will be forever in my memory and in the lives he’s touched.
Tori Yetman, I’m sure you make your community very proud and it was great to see you raising awareness and money to help fight cancer.

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