LAST WORD

RESILIENCE. This word has been used frequently to describe the people of our province, especially in the past two years due to COVID-19. It is used regularly in stories about a person or group that has overcome a life-altering event.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are no strangers to hard times. As natural storytellers, who grew up on a rock in the middle of the Atlantic, tales of resilience are part of what makes us who we are. We have listened to our parents and grandparents telling stories of growing up in the outports, filled with lessons on how we should appreciate the basic comforts of life for our generation. Comforts as simple as electricity and running water. We have all heard, “back in my day we walked to school in snow up to our waist – and uphill both ways!”

As I reflect on resilience, I instantly think of my son, Adam, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of four. I also think of all the children who have been diagnosed with cancer in our province, along with their siblings and families.

Helen Keller once said, “All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.” When I think of these children and their families, I do find suffering, but also inspirational stories of overcoming and resilience.

A childhood cancer diagnosis is devastating. It impacts the entire family. As a volunteer with the Candlelighters Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, I can honestly say that every child and family who I have met have been inspiring. The Candlelighters support children and families from diagnosis, through treatment, after treatment and during bereavement. We say kids can’t fight cancer alone because they should not fight it alone. It is through the love and support of their families and communities that the resilience of these warriors blooms.

This is something else the people of our province are known for – banding together.

The children going through treatment are nothing short of amazing. I have watched teenagers studying for high school exams in the waiting room at the Janeway before getting hooked up for their chemotherapy. I clearly recall one Monday morning when my son Adam wanted to get his chemotherapy early so he would not miss kindergarten in the afternoon.

Resilience is watching these children complete their treatment and continue on to build a life after cancer. Resilience is when they pursue a post-secondary education – which the Candlelighters support with scholarships. Resilience is when families adopt a new “normal” after their child finishes treatment. By far the greatest show of resilience is the family whose child passes away. The courage and strength of these families who have to face a life without their child is a testament to the deep love they have for their child.

Many times I have heard people say that children cope with cancer better than adults because they are resilient. It is this resilience, in generation after generation of our people, which will shape the future of our province, of which Memorial is such an important piece. For now, we keep fighting for what we believe in, telling the stories of our struggles and our strength, and celebrating our successes – together.

Lori Pike is Memorial University’s 2021 Outstanding Community Service Award recipient and dedicated volunteer with Candlelighters Association of N.L., a volunteer charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and their families since 1982.