Giving Back in Sofia’s Memory
On this Giving Tuesday, we want to share a family’s story of generosity, resilience, and the profound impact of community. Ryan and Sam know firsthand how life changes in an instant when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Today, they are giving back as Peer Support volunteers with WCK, offering understanding, empathy, and a safe place for caregivers going through something similar.
Life Can Change in an Instant
Before diagnosis, Ryan and Sam’s lives were full of the ordinary joys of family - watching their young children, Carter and Sofia, grow up, and celebrating milestones. During a family trip, Sofia, then just shy of three years old, started to feel unwell. When they got home and she wasn’t getting better, Sam took her to their local hospital. After an ultrasound, the doctors informed them they had discovered a large mass in her abdomen, and they were told to go to BC Children’s immediately.
“It was definitely a moment I’ll never forget,” Ryan recalls. “Our whole world just flipped.”
Not long after being admitted to Children’s, Ryan and Sam were informed that a full recovery for Sofia, if successful, would require an 18-month treatment plan - they realized this would be a long, life-changing journey for their family. For the first 49 days of cancer treatment, Sofia was inpatient at the hospital. Sam and Ryan became full-time caregivers, living on the road between the hospital and their home in Maple Ridge, and their tight-knit community of family and friends stepped up to make sure Carter could have some form of normalcy and didn’t miss out on anything.
Finding Beauty in Hard Moments
Life looked so different suddenly. There were incredibly hard days, traumatic moments, and a lot of uncertainty. But for Sam and Ryan, there was a lot of beauty in that time, too. “When you get a diagnosis like this, all the things you stress about in normal life disappear and you are hyperfocussed on what is right in front of you.” Ryan shared. They found small moments of joy - many of them in their quiet mornings spent together at the hospital.
They knew the doctors and nurses were doing all they could, so they felt their jobs were to make sure Sofia and Carter were taken care of, and to take care of themselves and each other.
Discovering Food Support with WCK
One morning while walking the halls, Sam spotted one of Sofia’s favourite snacks in the kitchen - goldfish crackers, with a purple WCK sticker on them.
They’d soon discovered even more snacks in the kitchen on the oncology unit, and a freezer fully stocked with meals from WCK. Trips to the kitchen became a vital source of support, and at times, even felt like a fun adventure to see what they could find: veggie straws, mac and cheese, and cheese pizza were some of their best-loved.
The medicine made Sofia’s appetite change from day-to-day, sometimes things wouldn’t taste right or sit well, or she would go days barely eating. It felt like a big win when they could offer her something she’d eat.
Ryan remembers a stretch like this, feeling unsure of when her appetite might come back and constantly aware of her food intake. When she took a few bites of his favourite chow mein noodles from WCK, it was a big win and huge relief. “Any bite of any food was a monumental achievement in those days, so that memory stuck with me,” he shares.
Giving Back as Peer Support Volunteers
“We knew we wanted to give back as directly as possible to patients and their families, because that’s what impacted us the most.”
Two years later, Ryan and Sam are already giving back, beginning to serve as Peer Support volunteers to help other families navigate the same challenges they faced. For Ryan, it’s also about encouraging other men to seek support by sharing his story. “It’s my understanding that not a single male caregiver has asked for help through this program yet, and I’m hoping to start a trend,” he shares.
Sam sees Peer Support as a crucial outlet for caregivers, a space to share fears, frustrations, and small victories with someone who truly understands. “Even with a supportive family, it’s hard to explain what you’re going through. Peer support lets you be seen and heard without needing to explain everything,” she reflects.
Giving back has been an important part of their grief journey, and how they are honouring Sofia’s memory. Beyond Peer Support, they have found immense purpose in their own fundraising efforts - having delivered hundreds of toys, books, activities, and other comfort items to children on the oncology floor at Children’s - paying forward the kindness they once received from people who gave their time, money, and gifts to support children and families.
Remembering Sofia
Sofia was a beautiful child inside and out. Her parents beam with pride talking about her, describing Sofia as tenacious and having spunk, while also being the most caring, thoughtful child. She loved everyone, but especially her favourite people, like her best friend Maeve and her big brother Carter.
Through volunteering, Ryan and Sam are not just honouring Sofia’s memory - they are creating ripples of care and understanding for families that will extend far beyond their reach.
A Lasting Impact
For Ryan and Sam, WCK’s programs were much more than snacks and meals, port shirts to give Sofia comfort, and smoothies that gave their Sundays a boost - they were lifelines that allowed them to focus on their children during their most difficult times. These moments leave lasting impressions on families.
“What I would want people to know about donating to WCK is that it impacts people directly,” Ryan says. “Even a small donation can create a lifetime of memories for a family.”
Make a Difference This Giving Tuesday
On this Giving Tuesday, you can join Ryan, Sam, and WCK in supporting families. Your gift helps provide meals, programs shaped by families, and compassionate care - directly impacting children and families every single day.
Donate today to support families like Ryan and Sam’s.