[2020-10-31] Halloween isn't just for treats
In honour of Halloween, tonight's post is an inspiring story at the intersection of cancer and the annual holiday.
Last October, Ethan Smallwood, a young boy from Newfoundland, dressed up as his idol, Terry Fox. Sporting a wig with curly hair, a Marathon of Hope t-shirt, gray jogging shorts and a specially designed stocking to simulate Terry's artificial leg, Ethan set out to trick or treat. But instead of seeking candy, he was in search of donations to the Terry Fox Foundation. He collected $700 while trick or treating, well beyond his initial goal of $250.
But that's not the end of this tale. As his story spread, Ethan raised more money. Way more. According to a page about Ethan on the Terry Fox Foundation website, "Through his selfless efforts and the incredible generosity of Canadians...Ethan has raised over $25,000 for cancer research."
Ethan is the great-great grandchild of Joey Smallwood, Newfoundland's first premier. He took an interest in Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope in kindergarten and, the next year, announced to his family that he wanted to dress up as his hero for Halloween. They were able to put together the costume in time for Halloween 2019, when Ethan was in grade 2.
As recounted on the Terry Fox Foundation webpage, Fred Fox, Terry's younger brother, had this to say to Ethan: "Terry would be so proud of what you’re doing and Terry never, ever could have imagined that young kids like you who are inspired by him are keeping his dream alive."
One news story about Ethan's fundraising success said that his mother, Candice Smallwood, was planning to take her son to Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s so that he could play with the children facing cancer. "At 7, it’s really hard to grasp what cancer is," Candice said, "So, I think it’s really important to learn about it and meet some children (cancer patients)."
I think it's hard to grasp cancer at any age, so I'm very impressed by Ethan. Like his hero, young Ethan no doubt made everyone he encountered think just a little more about cancer than they might have otherwise. That's pretty heroic!
