Hannah Billings
Last May Hannah began to feel pain in her right knee. It was assumed she must have injured herself during a soccer game. But after several medical appointments and visits to emergency wards, it became apparent there was more to this. After multiple tests and a bone scan, Hannah was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and would need surgery and chemotherapy. Her tumour was removed and she underwent a procedure called repiphysis – an artificial bone replacement to help her leg grow via electromagnetic treatments.

Singing is Hannah’s passion but her remarkable spirit is what has caught everyone’s attention. Throughout this ordeal she remains optimistic, giving out wide-eyed smiles, making people laugh and spreading pleasure with her drawings.

Manasvi Koul
Manasvi first visited her doctor because her body was itchy. This persisted for two months when finally she had blood work, an ultrasound and x-rays. The family was not expecting a diagnosis of cancer. Manasvi had masses inside her rib cage and in her neck. Once admitted to CHEO they learned she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Her treatments began in October, 2005, and thankfully she responded very well and did not need to receive radiation.

Manasvi has surprised even her family with a very positive outlook on her condition. An upbeat child, she’s often found cheering up other patients. Manasvi sought some strength by writing about her experiences and has managed to always see the glass half full.

Dennis Gudbranson
In April, 2005, Dennis' parents heard the horrifying words that rocked their world again ... Dennis' cancer is back. Dennis, an avid hockey player, was initially diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in April, 2004. Although he seemed to have responded well to chemotherapy treatment and was in remission in October, 2004, he relapsed less than six months later. As none of his family members were compatible bone marrow donors, his only chance of survival was to find an unrelated donor.

Last June, while receiving chemotherapy at his second home, CHEO, he received the exciting news that a donor had been found! Dennis and his mom traveled to Toronto in August where he underwent high levels of chemotherapy and full-body irradiation prior to transplant. They were elated to return to CHEO in September to continue follow-up treatments at the Medical Day Unit. Because his new immune system is still immature, he continues to be home schooled. To his delight, Dennis received the best Christmas present ever ... he was finally allowed to rejoin his hockey team. Hopefully within a year of transplant, he'll be able to resume all of his favourite activities, including swimming and soccer! Dennis has been an inspiration to many: his mischievous eyes and sparkling sense of humour remind us all of how special each
day can be!