A Heart-Wrenching Journey, A Beacon of Hope: Two Families' Fight Against Childhood Cancer
Girl Diagnosed with Cancer at Age 3 Participates in Sporting Life 10K to Support the Camp that Transformed Her Existence at 11 Years Old
Staff Reporter Anima Upadhayay can vividly recall the day her little angel, Sophie Nirankari, was diagnosed with cancer. For her and her husband, Robinder Sidhu, it was their "darkest nightmare."
On December 8, 2017, the innocent toddler of three was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. Her tiny body was host to 21 tumors, the largest one about the size of a baseball, nestled right above her right kidney.
"Our lives have been turned upside-down since 2017," Upadhayay shared with the Star. "We've experienced things we never imagined we would."
Sophie endured countless radiation sessions, major operations, and rounds of chemotherapy. On two occasions, it seemed her condition was improving. However, months later, tumors would reappear in various parts of her body.
During her darkest moments, volunteers from Campfire Circle brought joy to Sophie's face. The charitable organization, funded privately, supports children with cancer and other severe illnesses through free activities, from overnight camps to in-hospital events.
Sophie especially adores swimming at camp with the other children and creating slime at the hospital, her family revealed. "She is the slime queen," Sidhu chuckled.
This year, Sophie and her family are paying it forward by joining the Sporting Life 10K race in Toronto, rolling through the city in her wheelchair alongside her family and a team of nearly 70 supporters. The event, held annually for 25 years, has contributed significantly to Campfire Circle's efforts, with proceeds supporting the charity. As of writing, Sophie's team has raised over $50,000.
Upadhayay, who will be pushing her daughter during the race, has been gearing up by taking long walks and jogs with Sophie's push-rim wheelchair. For her part, Sophie is feeling confident and excited for race day.
"I don't think we can ever repay Campfire Circle for everything they've done for us," Sidhu said. "It's just our way of saying thank you."
More than 23,000 participants are expected to run, walk, or roll the 10-kilometer course through the heart of Toronto on May 11, according to Caley Bornbaum, the chief development officer of Campfire Circle. The event has already surpassed the $1 million mark in donations for the charity.
"We offer our camp programs free of charge for families," Bornbaum explained. "Without the generosity of those participating in events like the Sporting Life 10K, we wouldn't be able to deliver our programs."
Campfire Circle supports more than 5,000 children annually, including 10-year-old Nori Cheong, diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in early 2021. "Since then, I've been through many chemotherapies, immunotherapies, surgeries, bone marrow transplants, and I've managed to conquer it thrice so far," Nori shared. "But it has returned this year, in January, so I'm still fighting for a permanent cure."
Nori's father, Jeff, described their family's diagnosis as "devastating." "We've had our fair share of fear and anger, but we've learned to cope," he said. "We focus on one day at a time."
After the initial challenge of adapting to life in the hospital, Nori found solace and joy in the company of other children through Campfire Circle, enabling her to embrace her childhood. This year, Nori, her family, and her team of around 15 supporters are also participating in the 10-kilometer race, raising over $11,000 so far.
Despite ongoing chemotherapy, Nori remains resilient, her father shared. "We have our weekly hospital visits, Nori continues her treatment, and she squeezes as much fun as possible out of Campfire Circle," Jeff said. "We're just taking things one step at a time."
Meanwhile, Sidhu had promised to take Sophie to every Disneyland in the world in early 2025, but before they could embark on their adventure, a tumor approximately the size of a tennis ball was discovered wrapped around Sophie's spine, canceling their trip and triggering another three rounds of chemotherapy. Her condition has since stabilized, and the family still dreams of making the trip a reality, with a visit to Tokyo's Disneyland on the horizon. "We're just living day to day," Sidhu explained. "But looking to the future, I'm grateful that things are improving."
- Anima Upadhayay, a Staff Reporter, recalls the day her daughter Sophie Nirankari was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2017, a memory she describes as their "darkest nightmare."
- The media and Toronto community have been following the heart-wrenching journey of Sophie and another child, Nori Cheong, who both have been diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma.
- In 2021, Nori and her family joined the list of families who have found a beacon of hope in the charity Campfire Circle, which supports children with cancer and medical conditions.
- For a significant amount of time, the battle against cancer has been a hot topic in politics and the media, with events like the Sporting Life 10K in Toronto raising over $61,000 for charities like Campfire Circle.
- Sophie and Nori, along with their respective families, are taking part in the 2023 Sporting Life 10K race, demonstrating their resilience and raising funds for Campfire Circle.
- While the fight against childhood cancer remains relentless, advancements in science and immunotherapies offer a glimmer of hope for the future, as researchers work tirelessly to find a permanent cure for this dreadful disease.
- Campfire Circle has been instrumental in providing free activities and in-hospital events for children with cancer, serving more than 5,000 children annually and making a significant impact on the Canadian community.
- The families of Sophie and Nori are making strides in their individual battles against neuroblastoma, demonstrating an unwavering spirit and keeping their hopes high for a day when they can celebrate life without the specter of cancer looming over them.
