Games galore
Brain tumour survivor Nathan Gibbons completes Starlight Foundation’s 3-Minute Dash at Toys ‘R’ Us in St. John’s
Nathan Gibbons, 7, treated to shopping spree at Toys ‘R’ Us
Watching seven-year-old Nathan Gibbons navigate the aisles of the Toys ‘R’ Us store on Kenmount Road in St. John’s on Tuesday, no one would guess the struggles he has faced during the past two years.
Participating in the Starlight Foundation Canada “3-Minute Dash,” Nathan ran the aisles filling shopping carts pushed by his mom and dad, Leanne and Eugene Gibbons, and a host of other family members.
Nathan was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of 5 and has undergone multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation at both the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s and the Isaac Walton Killam Children’s Hospital (IWK) in Halifax.
The joy on his face Tuesday would never alert you to his struggles.
“This was a lot of fun. I am very happy, pumped,” he said.
“I am excited to get some new toys … and to see Captain Starlight,” he added.
Nathan loaded the carts with many of his favourite items, including a Nintendo Switch and a variety of Lego sets that included “Minecraft” and “Star Wars.”
Despite his obvious glee, he didn’t forget about others who have supported him.
“I love my cousins, so I want to give them stuff, too,” he said.
Positive attitude
Throughout all the trying times, and being poked and prodded by medical personnel, Nathan and his family have remained positive.
“This experience is beyond words. Overwhelming,” his mother Leanne said.
“He so deserved this after all he has gone through. It lets a kid be a kid for a while,” she added. “He was super excited to be part of this, but a little nervous, too. But he has been around so many adults, he is 7, but going on 27.”
Gibbons called her son a “superkid” for the way he has handled the past two years. Other than a few minor side effects, he has been like most seven-year-olds, she said.
She credits the medical community for Nathan being where he is today, and is quick to dispel any notions that the system is broken.
“The Janeway has been phenomenal, the IWK doctors and nurses, too,” Leanne said.
“As the only child in the cancer clinic, the staff went above and beyond to care for Nathan,” she added, singling out doctors Lynette Bowes and Terry Stuckless for the work they did with her son.
In addition, she credited the child life program at the Janeway for introducing them to the Starlight Foundation that made Tuesday possible for Nathan.
Life-changing event
In May 2015, Nathan received his first diagnosis of a brain tumour and underwent his first of several surgeries to remove the tumour.
He had started chemotherapy shortly thereafter and the Gibbons quickly learned the tumour had already started to grow back, thus necessitating that he go to Halifax and the IWK for additional surgeries, followed by radiation treatments.
In June of this year, following 18-months of clean scans, they learned that two new tumours had quickly grown in his brain. Again, he was sent to Halifax, and on June 23-24 underwent backto-back surgeries to remove the tumours. He is now undergoing additional radiation treatments.
“After all his struggles, it’s nice that he can just be a kid for awhile,” said Trevor Dicaire, vice-president of development with the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada.
“It is an amazing opportunity to see Nathan smile after the two years of struggles he and his family have endured,” he added.
Toys ‘R’ Us is hosting events like this one in seven other cities across Canada this year in conjunction with the Starlight Foundation.
“Events like this are overwhelming and heartwarming. That is why I am part of this team,” said Sonya Luchetta, Toys ‘R’ Us manager of public relations and special events.
“This is our first year doing this in St. John’s, and being able to do this for Nathan and his family helps them return to day-to-day life.”
She said being involved in events like this does as much for the team members as it does for the families, and lets them give back to the communities they live and work in and help make life better for others who require a boost.
“He so deserved this after all he has gone through. It lets a kid be a kid for a while.” Leanne Gibbons, Nathan’s mother