“The community came through before we could even ask for help,” Stefanie Watson said about the GoFundMe campaign and the car, truck and snowmobile convoy that will pass by her family’s home on Saturday in show of support of her 13-year-old son James, who is facing cancer for the fourth time.
“Honestly, I don’t think a thank you is enough and it’s been so amazing how the community is helping us.”
James was cancer free for three-and-a-half happy years but during a recent routine check-up at BC Children’s Hospital the alarm was raised by his blood work and an emergency biopsy was done to discover the worst news a family could hear. More than 70 percent of James's bone marrow is riddled with cancer and as a result he is now undergoing palliative care treatment and spending the rest of the time he has left with his friends and family.
It started for James when he was just two and a half years old and it was a decade long, hard-fought battle, Stefanie explained. What got him on the right side of cancer in 2019 was a bone marrow donation from his beloved sister Grace, who was just nine years old at the time. That’s what afforded James some cancer free days.
James loves cars, trucks and snowmobiles so friends are asking everyone in Prince George to help James have a memorable day by convoying up.
“We were expecting something simple, something quiet, you know?” Stefanie said. “And then just overnight everything just blew up. Our community came together and I can’t thank them enough for just being behind us 100 per cent and just showing so much love and support and coming forward before any of us had to ask. It’s so amazing and we’re so grateful.”
The call is for people to bring their semis, cars, trucks and be sure to load up those snowmobiles and head to James’s house.
Those participating can meet up at CN Centre at noon Saturday before heading out to James's house at 1444 Irwin St. at 12:30.
“The kids are looking forward to Saturday and the whole family is just so grateful,” Stefanie said.
There’s also the family's GoFundMe page that was started by Stefanie’s best friend Leigh Anne that has now exceeded its goal of $15,000 but we all know Prince George will just keep giving to this family so the financial burden won’t be a worry while Stefanie and their family and friends gather round James during this time of his life.
“I don’t know how a thank you will ever be enough – but thank you,” Stefanie said. “We’ve always known we have a great community when it comes to things like this and we’re just so grateful.”
