A moment for gratitude and stars, after 25 years

There are stars of all kinds and CHEO helps make them — helps them find a way to shine.

At the beginning of October one of those stars, Julian, a CHEO oncology grad (as we like to say), returned to Ottawa with his family to thank all the people who cared for him and to thank CHEO. As did his father, John, who has just published a book about the family’s experiences with cancer, Only When It’s Dark Can We See the Stars. The family wanted to present the books to CHEO, at CHEO. They had lived some formative experiences here, after all.

One of those was back in 1997. Julian cut the ribbon at the opening of the suite sponsored by Wade Redden for kids and families of CHEO. It was Wade’s rookie year. He was 20. Julian was 13. Seven years and worlds apart. But Wade was also one for star-making. And still is.

Fast forward to 2022. The family thought it would be fun if Wade could join in their book presentation and meet Julian again — 25 years later, their age difference (38 and 45) now seeming less cavernous. They were keen that Wade, and everyone at CHEO, know the positive impact of their actions when Julian was being treated for ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia) all those years ago.

At the invitation of Wade and the Senators, instead of taking place outside of CHEO, the book exchange happened in a suite during the Sens-Habs' home game on October 1. Julian was there with his young family and his father John Van Popta, the family’s chronicler and a retired church minister.

 Lisa Gebbie, a Care Facilitator in the Medical Day Unit, went on behalf of CHEO and her colleagues, a number of whom cared for Julian.  When she received the books, John read an excerpt to her with Julian at her side.

“It brought me to tears,” Lisa said. “If staff only knew how much they impact people’s lives.”

To give you a sense, this is some of what John read:

“In the past month there were indications that the Lord might direct our lives to a new city, a new congregation. I needed to tell my children of possibilities, of uncertainties. When Julian heard that perhaps a call to another congregation would come, he was stunned. “Where would I go to the hospital? How would I get to CHEO?” Three weeks ago, I gently told him that there were other hospitals, other doctors, other nurses as good as those he knew. For the first time since his diagnosis, we saw him weep. He just put his head on the table and wept. At times in the last year-and-a-half tears filled his eyes. There were times when he felt so awful that he cried softly, quietly. But not now. Now he wept.

Looking at my son I realized how much we love that place, he and I, how much we love those people, the doctors, the nurses. I realized how much security we find in the midst of those who care for our son. How much security and comfort there is among those who understand.”

The family also shared with Lisa and her daughter many fond memories of specific staff members and just how thankful they were about the care they received at CHEO — reinforcing the impact of caring. 

“It was a wonderful experience,” Lisa said. “And it was a great experience for my daughter. They shared many words of wisdom with her and, although my children have grown up with many life lessons influenced by my career, it’s very different hearing it from others.”

As the stars would have it, the suite’s concierge is fighting cancer and also talked with Lisa’s daughter about the impact of caring. “He said real heroes are not actors and athletes, they are the people who donate blood, the people who help others,” Lisa recounted.

Wade, of course, is both (an athlete and someone who helps others).

He spent quite a bit of time speaking with Julian and his family, reminiscing and finding out how they are doing now.

“Things are really well,” Julian told Wade. Julian and his wife, Laura, are now raising three boys (Logan, Tyler and Travis), and, said his father, “Julian is remarkably healthy with no apparent ill effects of all the treatments he endured for his ALL! He is now a successful businessman and land developer, with business interests in Canada and the Bahamas.”

Julian is also a mentor to teen boys in his church, understanding the importance of those years, having been a cancer patient from 12 to 17 years of age.

“Seeing Julian with his family doing so well just lights me up when I think about it,” said Lisa. “It is rare and meaningful to connect like this with someone as an adult, when they were once a very sick kid in our care. Very emotional and touching! I’m thankful I could be there.”

For more of a glimpse into the Sens suite on October 1, have a look at this CTV item.