Picture Yourself a Winner

The Hower family has always believed that you can't win the race if you think you are going to lose.

"See yourself in the starting blocks at the beginning of a race and picture yourself at the finish line, a winner."
• Matthew Hower's aunt

In early 2003, Tim and Mary Hower's son Matthew experienced severe pain in his leg. After a battery of doctor's appointments and tests and admittance to hospital, their three-year-old was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer that arises in immature nerve cells. It took three emotionally-charged weeks to receive the diagnosis because SARS was gripping the nation and had just hit their then-hometown of Toronto.

"Pediatric patients were allowed one parent at a time," explained Mary, "so we had to meet each other outside the building or in a receiving area. This was particularly stressful because Matthew was only three, was incredibly sick, had never been in a hospital before and had certainly never been left alone. He couldn't understand why he couldn't be with both his parents. When he was with mommy he was missing daddy, and when he was with his dad he wanted to be with his mom too. Not to mention trying to explain why his sister or grandmother or friends couldn't come to see him. Instead they had to stand outside his hospital room and wave from 8 stories below."

The tumor was located in the adrenal gland in Matthew's abdomen, and a biopsy showed that the bone marrow was full of neuroblastoma cells.

"Adrenal glands release hormones to maintain blood pressure and enable us to respond to stress. Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in young children and often begins in the adrenal gland, but can spread to many other parts of the body," explained Dr. Sara Israels, Head, CancerCare Manitoba Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant.

Originally from Manitoba, the Howers had been contemplating a move back home to Winnipeg, so the pediatric oncologists in Toronto referred Matthew to Dr. Israels at CancerCare Manitoba . "We loved her immediately," enthused Tim. "We knew we would receive the best care."

Matthew needed high-dose chemotherapy. The problem is, high doses of chemotherapy cannot be administered unless partnered with peripheral stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

Some of Matthew's stem cells were harvested and stored while the family was still in Toronto. In preparation for the transplant, the stem cells were flown to Winnipeg. After intensive chemotherapy, the stem cells were reintroduced or 'transplanted' into Matthew by Dr. Marlis Schroeder, Director of the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program at CancerCare Manitoba.

Matthew went into remission in October 2003 but, in July of 2005, he once more developed pain in his legs. The neuroblastoma was again found in his bone marrow and he started back on chemotherapy, which he now receives from 9 to 5, five days each month at the CancerCare Manitoba pediatric clinic.

Despite how incredibly serious this cancer is, the Howers refuse to be overwhelmed by it. "We are a happy, normal family because we are blessed to have the tremendous support of family and friends, and we receive outstanding care from CancerCare Manitoba's oncologists, nurses and child life educators," praised both Mary and Tim.

Due to the support he has received, in his mother's words Matthew has been able to "put the 'yucky' stuff behind him and focus on all the really great things he loves."

Now seven, Matthew has many friends and he also loves spending time with his older sister Lauren. When not in treatment he goes to school, plays hockey, soccer and basketball, and swims like a fish. Matthew is so active that most of the time his family finds it hard to keep up with him!

"We're not sure if it's the chemo or being stimulated at CancerCare all day, but his best sporting performances seem to occur at 6 pm after treatment," laughs Tim.

Researchers here at CancerCare Manitoba and around the world are working to find better treatments for children with neuroblastoma, the most prevalent solid tumor in children, excluding brain tumors. Investigators are attempting to find more effective ways to identify children with a genetic predisposition to the disease; markers to help track treatment response; and improved methods for classifying tumors.

We need to support pediatric oncology research so we can continue to find more effective therapies and, one day, a cure.

During this holiday season, please consider a gift to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, so we may have more winners like Matthew!

Barry D. McArton, Executive Director

P.S. Ours is the only cancer foundation where all funds raised stay in the province, investing in research, treatment and care for all Manitobans. Thank you for your support!