A Father’s Story
In honour of Father’s Day, we want to share the encouraging words of a brave, resilient, and supportive dad caring for a child with cancer. Christopher became a caregiver overnight when his son Owen was diagnosed with cancer—a typical role for both fathers and mothers who suddenly must provide family support while working to cover healthcare costs and other new expenses.
Today, both Christopher and Owen speak openly about childhood cancer and their experience as a way of helping others. Christopher’s heartfelt experiences and advice for other dads on a similar journey are also helpful for family members and friends impacted by cancer.
Owen was always on the ice chasing his dream to play hockey professionally. His father, Christopher, was by his side for early morning practices, games, and tournaments, as well as taking calls from hockey scouts.
Before starting grade 10, Owen noticed a bump on his left shin. Christopher and his wife Deirdre didn’t think much about it since defensemen in hockey are prone to bumps and bruises, but things changed after a game of floor hockey.
“Owen got slashed on the shin with the bump and the pain was intense,” says Christopher. “We had it checked right away and the doctor immediately knew it was osteosarcoma,” says Christopher. “We got a call to confirm it that night and we went to SickKids by 5 a.m. the next morning. All of us were beyond speechless from the shock of how our lives changed so suddenly.”
The hospital appointment coincided with a high-profile Silver Stick tournament with scouts around the arena asking for Owen, but that fall would mark his last skate with the team as he prepared for an invasive 19-hour surgery and six months of treatment to follow.
“I remember the first time I broke down crying was coming home from that first appointment,” says Christopher. “And all Owen kept asking was ‘When can I play hockey again?’ I honestly didn’t know what to say.”
Owen was “relentless,” says his father—the same word used as a title for a TSN documentary featuring Owen on childhood cancer and his pursuit to play hockey. “His focus was always on getting back on the ice, and he is the one who kept me going.”
Christopher is a high school teacher and after five months of juggling teaching and caring for Owen, he took a five-month leave to support Owen and take the time to heal himself. “Seeing your child sick is the worst pain you can feel,” he says. “I was crying many days driving to school and my head wasn’t there. I knew I had to take the time off work. In those moments, you feel so helpless, alone, and isolated because you feel no one really understands what you are going through.”
Today, Christopher is back in the classroom while Owen, who is fully recovered, is preparing to start school at Ontario Tech this fall. “He is back doing what he loves, and that’s hockey,” says Christopher. “He spent the past two years playing junior hockey in Ottawa but will be coming home to start university.” Owen is living his life beyond cancer and is pursuing his dream career in physiotherapy while mentoring other younger children with cancer.
Meanwhile, Christopher is a support for other parents going through a similar experience and has advice for people who know someone impacted by childhood cancer. “There is nothing you can say, so it’s best to not try and problem solve but simply listen,” he says. “It is a long journey—for us, one that has been six years but feels like six hours.
We believe that no parent should have to take on this fight alone. If you are father or guardian caring for a child with cancer and experiencing stress in your life, there is support available. Please reach out to Jennifer Hooper, our National Program Manager at [email protected] to inquire.
To support caregivers like Christopher, you can make your donation today. Your generosity supports critical research for better, safer treatments for kids like Owen, and funds support programs for families during their cancer journey.
