ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — He’s only in Grade 3 and he’s already an experienced advocate for kids with cancer.
David Young of Paradise, who attends Topsail Elementary, was the champion child for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Light the Night event held last October in St. John’s.
Now he’s promoting Camp Delight at Lavrock on Salmonier Line, an event held annually in August.
“You can do a bunch of things there. You can swim, meet new friends and even roast marshmallows,’’ David said.
“I spent a week there last year,’’ he added noting he would have liked to have gone in 2017, as well, but he was too sick then.
Going to camp can help put a smile on the face of children and families who have been dealing with cancer. That’s why Candlelighters Newfoundland and Labrador and Triple C Car Wash in Mount Pearl have teamed up to host Spin For Camp Delight on June 8.
David said he hopes lots of people come out to the event and he hopes it brings in lots of money.
He attended camp with his partner in crime — his older sister, Maria. She enjoyed the experience so much she asked, “Can we stay two weeks? I didn’t want to go home, it was so much fun.”
David was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Leukemia, a rare, fast-growing type of leukemia which involves too many white blood cells (B lymphocytes) forming in the blood and bone marrow.
A few days after being diagnosed, David started treatment at the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s. He received six rounds of in-patient chemotherapy, pretty much back-to back.
Physically, it took a toll on his body, but mentally he was strong.
If medicine was a sword against the disease, the support he received from his family, friends and community was his shield.
David’s life is back to normal since his chemo ended. He’s back in school, he’s back playing soccer in Paradise, taking karate lessons with his sister at the Maxx Centre and just being a regular child, free of the trials and tribulations associated with cancer — much to the pleasure of his parents, Melanie Murphy and Steve Young.
Make a difference
Andrew Hallett of Triple C Car Wash in Mount Pearl was looking for a way to make a difference.
As a businessman, he gets lots of requests for donations.
“I want to help, and I needed to find something that can make a bigger difference,” he said. “I went to Light the Night last year … and donated to that. That made me feel good to know that was going to help someone who really needed it, and when the Candlelighters approached me, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.”
In addition to being the name sponsor for the event, Hallett’s business is donating $1 from each car washed at his location this week to Candlelighters.
Getting a child and their families to Camp Delight is not cheap.
"... when the Candlelighters approached me, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.” — Andrew Hallett
Lori Pike, treasurer for Candlelighters, said the cost is close to $1,200 per child for the week.
“That is why fundraisers like this are so important. The more we bring in, the more we can do,’’ she said.
“We sponsor children from all over the province who have been diagnosed with cancer, their siblings, and bereaved siblings, ranging in age from seven to 17 for the week. We also have day camps for children five to seven,’’ she added.
Pike said there are about 60 children who participate each year, and she credits programs like this one and the generosity of people like Hallett and Triple C Car Wash for making that happen.
She said camp staff are all volunteers, so the funding goes directly towards the children and their families.
Spin For Camp Delight will be held at the Field House at Memorial University from 2 to 4 p.m.
Teams can check in at 1 p.m. and all team members must be ready to go at 1:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies start at 2 p.m. and competition gets underway at 2:10, when six rounds of cycling — 10 minute legs — get underway.
The awards and closing ceremony are scheduled for 3:20 p.m.
Pedalling like hell for 10 minutes can make a huge difference — there’s space for 25 teams and organizers hope each entry can raise at least $1,000.
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