Shawna Imeson will never forget the day in the winter of 2018 that her life was forever changed. While she sat in a room with her husband and a team of specialists at BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital, she received news that brought her to her knees: her three-year-old son had cancer.

B次元官网网址淚t was a heart-wrenching, stomach-twisting moment,B次元官网网址� she recalled. B次元官网网址淪ince then, our family has been through awful moments B次元官网网址� but I would take those over hearing B次元官网网址榶our son has cancerB次元官网网址� again.B次元官网网址�

Weeks earlier, Thariq had a slight fever. At first, his parents thought it was a flu B次元官网网址� but his symptoms became so severe that he could barely stand. Thariq was rushed to BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital, where he was diagnosed with stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer that begins in nerve tissue.

B次元官网网址淚 remember every night for that first month falling asleep and hoping that this was a bad dream,B次元官网网址� Shawna said. B次元官网网址淲hile trying to process how sick our boy was, we also had to discuss treatment.B次元官网网址�

Experts at quickly developed an intensive plan that included chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, radiation and immunotherapy, which harnesses the bodyB次元官网网址檚 immune system to fight cancer. Over the next 18 months, Thariq endured 50 blood transfusions, four bone marrow biopsies, endless needle pokes, and hundreds of nights spent away from home.

Eventually, the treatment plan worked. In July, Thariq was declared in remission. Fast forward to today, and the six-year-old is now in kindergarten and living each day to the fullest. ThariqB次元官网网址檚 family is forever grateful for the care they received at BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital B次元官网网址� so when they learned they could help other kids and families battling childhood illnesses, they immediately stepped forward.

This spring, the whole family will be lacing up their runners to take part in one of BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital FoundationB次元官网网址檚 signature events, RBC Race for the Kids: Home Edition. For 35 years, BCB次元官网网址檚 largest family fun run has pushed the limits of whatB次元官网网址檚 possible in childhood cancer and mental health care. And for the second year, itB次元官网网址檚 being held as a virtual race that includes a monthB次元官网网址檚 worth of fun-filled activities to help families stay healthy throughout May, as well as a race day celebration on June 6 that registrants can join from the comfort of their homes.

By registering for , supporters are helping advance childhood cancer programs and research, such as studies aimed at bringing novel therapies to the 20 per cent of kids with cancer who donB次元官网网址檛 respond to traditional treatments. Funds also support critical mental health initiatives at BC ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital, ensuring kids from across the province B次元官网网址� including for the 70 per cent with mental health challenges who donB次元官网网址檛 have the expert care they need B次元官网网址� gain access to mental health resources and care.

B次元官网网址淒onors played such an important part in helping us through our journey,B次元官网网址� Shawna said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e thrilled to have the chance to support other kids and families, while we have fun and stay active as a family.B次元官网网址�

Register for RBC Race for the Kids at .