CEO m essage
Because of you, childhoods are possible.
Thank you for bringing magic back into the lives of children facing cancer.
Preston’s story is a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change. In a single afternoon, his world shifted from soccer practices and carefree play to hospital rooms and uncertainty. Cancer didn’t just affect Preston; it shook his whole family.
But because of your generosity, Preston got his childhood back.
Through your support, Preston found his laughter again at camp. His sister, Charleigh, found a place where she truly belonged. Your gifts powered programs—like PEER, Siblings Meet, and Cancer in the Classroom— that gave this family the strength to navigate their hardest days.
Thank you for showing up when it mattered most. Your continued support ensures that more families can find connection, healing and joy.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Tracey Martin Chief Executive Officer
PS. This June, every dollar you donate will be matched, doubling your impact for children facing cancer. Please give today.
healing powered by you
You are making childhoods possible
Before cancer, Preston’s family was building a joyful, busy life together. Their days were filled with school runs, soccer practices, and swim lessons. While their daughter Charleigh, who lives with autism, had her own unique needs, Preston was easygoing and full of light. He was the child they never had to worry about.
Life felt steady. Full of possibility.
Then, in November 2023, everything changed.
It started with small, worrying signs that did not seem serious at first. Fatigue, pale skin and cuts and nicks that were slow to heal. During a routine visit, their doctor noticed something that didn’t feel right and ordered further testing. That decision led them to the hospital. Within hours of arriving, their world shifted. Preston was diagnosed with leukemia. He was only four years old
“Within four or five hours, your whole life changes,” says Preston’s dad, Travis.
A cancer diagnosis turned their lives upside down. Suddenly, their days revolved around hospital stays, medical procedures, fear and uncertainty. Playdates disappeared and the childhood he knew was put on hold.
For Charleigh, the impact was immediate and overwhelming. Her brother, her best friend, suddenly started going away for long stretches.
“Her behaviours changed drastically and she was really struggling,” Kristin, Preston’s mom, shares.
This is what cancer does. It doesn’t just affect one child. It reshapes the entire family in ways no one is prepared for.
In those early days, everything felt overwhelming. But because of your support, Preston’s family was connected to Kids Cancer Care, and slowly, they began to find moments of relief again.
Charleigh joined our Siblings Program, while Preston joined our PEER exercise program, and Cancer in the Classroom, a program that helps kids with cancer talk to their classmates about their diagnosis and treatment.
But it was camp, made possible by your generosity, that truly transformed their journey.
After months of hearing “no” to everything — no swimming, no playdates, no normal childhood — Preston finally got to hear “yes.” Because of you, Preston experienced the joy of SunRise, a day camp in Calgary for little ones. He laughed, played, and connected with other children.
“At SunRise, he could just be a kid again,” says Preston’s mom, Kristin. “Every day, he came home excited, full of stories. He realized he wasn’t alone.”
For Charleigh, Camp Kindle became just as meaningful. What started as a difficult emotional journey turned into a place of comfort and belonging. Even months later, she still treasures letters from camp, reading and re-reading them as reminders that she is supported and understood. But none of this happens without you. Right now, there are children like Preston who are still in treatment. Still isolated. Still missing out on the simple joys of childhood.
Preston being a champ during treatment.
This summer, both Preston and Charleigh are heading to Camp Kindle, where they can reconnect with friends. In addition to all the magical things at camp, this year they’ll experience brand new spaces such as the Shane Homes Treehouse Village and Christine’s Conservatory, a vibrant, outdoor and accessible percussion playground, supported by Morrison Homes. These new play spaces were designed to spark joy, creativity, and healing.
“It was the first time we could talk about cancer without the conversation stopping… everyone just understood.
— Travis
The entire family has also experienced that joy together at Family Camp. Sitting around the campfire, belting out sing-along songs and sharing laughter together, are some of their favourite memories.
“It was the first time we could talk about cancer without the conversation stopping… everyone just understood,” says Travis.
Today, Preston is in remission and life is slowly finding a new rhythm. What carried them through were connection, community and moments of joy made possible by you.
You didn’t just help Preston. You helped his entire family find their way forward.
Thank you for making our camp program possible and bringing joy to children like Preston and Charleigh.
Charleigh and Preston
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DONATE
Your one-time gift will help kids affected by cancer in these uncertain times.
ROCK YOUR LOCKS
Rock Your Locks all year long! Cut, colour, or shave your lid for a kid while raising funds for kids fighting cancer.
RIDE
Join us for the Ride for a Lifetime. Head into the Rockies on Friday, June 19 for a motorcycle adventure with miles of mountain highway, unbeatable camaraderie, and the opportunity to help kids with cancer.
CYCLE
Join us for the 2026 Ride of Courage, July 10 to 12 . A premier all-inclusive, 3-day cycling event.
Cycle through the Alberta Foothills by day and recover around the campfire by night at Camp Kindle.
We also have a 1-day, gravel ride and flex cycling options.
EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY
Join us for Barley & Smoke on Saturday, September 12, where Calgary’s top chefs and brew masters come together for the taste event of the year! Get tickets at barleysmoke.ca.
09.12.2026
Donate, register or learn more at kidscancercare.ab.ca today.
You’re making Camp Kindle even more magical for children like Preston and Charleigh.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, campers will soon experience inspiring new spaces designed to spark joy, imagination, healing, and connection.
Deep in the heart of camp, the Shane Homes Treehouse Village is coming to life. A whimsical hideaway where children affected by cancer can climb, explore, dream, and rediscover the freedom of childhood. It will feature five unique, wheelchair-accessible treehouses, including the Essex Excavator, Jo’s GemStar, Optics Lighting Pirate Ship, the Calgary North Hill Lions Den, and the Young Kids Treehouse. Construction is still underway, but by the time this newsletter reaches you, the Shane Homes Treehouse Village will be officially open for adventure, inspiring creativity, friendship and imaginative play.
Campers will also experience the magic of Christine’s Conservatory, a vibrant and fully accessible outdoor music playground supported by Morrison Homes. Filled with colourful xylophones, harmony bells, hand pipes, and nature-inspired instruments, the conservatory invites children to make music, express themselves, and share joyful moments together. Named in honour of Kids Cancer Care Founder Christine McIver, this beautiful space celebrates music, creativity and the joy of making sound. Beyond these incredible spaces, there’s so much more to explore at Camp Kindle this summer. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, children affected by cancer can continue to discover friendship and adventure, while making unforgettable camp memories.