By Kelly Carmody | Digital Content and Social Media Specialist
Experience is something we hold in high regards at CCA, that’s why right after Dustin—CCA volunteer turned employee—graduated his first Chemo Pal match, we asked if he wanted to be matched again! For Dustin, the answer was easy, “Yes!”
When we asked Dustin how his Chemo Pals inspire him, he was quick to answer.
“Draven was diagnosed with Leukemia and we were matched for 3 ½ years. I love his energy and positivity; he lives his life normally with as much intention and goofiness as possible. He didn’t let anything slow him down.”
“Liam is inspiring for the same reasons. He had a very difficult surgery, but he took everything in stride. He was diagnosed in January with Osteosarcoma and when he learned he had to have surgery, he approached it with an incredible amount of maturity. He just finished chemo!”
Perhaps the most important part of each match was the benefit that Dustin’s Chemo Pals received from having a trusted adult mentor to confide in.
Draven’s Boundless Energy and Lessons From His Chemo Pal
“Having a Chemo Pal helped Draven improve his attitude about having to visit the hospital. Knowing that he would get to play with new toys helped his mom get him out of the house faster and improved his attitude during his appointments. In fact, the only time Draven would get upset was when his appointment was over and he had to leave! He would fake being sick so that we could keep playing!
Draven is naturally outgoing and energetic but having a Chemo Pal helped him learn to control his energy in a setting where the kids around him didn’t have the same enthusiasm. By the end of his chemo treatments Draven was able to empathize better with those kids. We practiced on learning how to “read the room” and how to stay calm if another kid did not want to play with him.”
Liam Confides in His Chemo Pal
“Having a Chemo Pal gave Liam social opportunities and someone to joke around with when his parents were at work and his brother in school. Liam would spend between 3-6 days at a time in the hospital and having someone come visit him with new board games was a huge mental “pick-me-up” for him. We talked about music and I attempted to give him advice about girls which he probably didn’t take very seriously! Having someone you can talk to about these silly things other than your parents or siblings is crucial to the self-esteem of teenagers.”
Draven and Liam had two very different experiences with Dustin as their Chemo Pal, but both of them gained a vital mentor and a lifelong friend.
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