I am *still* the GLIMMER!
*Last year, at just 14 days old, I took the first step towards showing my support for my Dad, Nathan McMahon by raising over $3,000 in just 3 days! Thank you to our incredible supporters last year.
This year - my goal is simple. I am turning 1 just after we walk again so my hope is to raise $1,000. Please consider donating!
Here is my full story (with updates):
After trying to conceive for 3 years, my Mom and Dad were blessed to get pregnant with me at the beginning of 2023 - I am a rainbow baby and an IVF baby. In fact, out of 12 embryos, I was the only one to make it - they call me a true miracle. While I was still growing in my Mom’s tummy (@11 weeks gestation), my Dad found out he had cancer.
Here is his story:
“An interesting range of emotions over the last 5 months. It started just before Easter with a concerning ultrasound. And (hopefully) ended with 8 rounds of chemotherapy in 16 weeks to win the battle against Hodgkin Lymphoma.
… it started with panic of the unknown and (fingers crossed) is now ending with a positive cancer free journey as I enter into fatherhood.
First and foremost, I cannot personally or professionally thank my amazing wife enough (she’s a Nurse Practitioner). This process would have looked substantially different without her knowledge, experience and never ending support. I’m extremely grateful for everything she has and continues to do.
To my family and friends, thank you. Thank you for the unwavering support, texts and calls. The news of this was not, and still isn’t easy to explain or discuss. After experiencing this myself, if you or someone you know who is going through this process needs to talk, I will always lend an ear.”
- Nathan McMahon
After ringing the bell for his final chemotherapy, my Dad found out there was a secondary concerning mass on his PET Scan which needed a biopsy. He bravely went and had this biopsy done when I was just 2 weeks old. And guess what?! It was benign! The most relieving news.
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Unfortunately that wasn’t the end of our cancer story. As most people who have been touched by cancer know- Cancer is a thief.
Cancer stole my future best-friend, Boomer. One week before my Dad’s last chemotherapy, we found out our beloved pup also had Lymphoma. I never got to meet him because cancer stole him a month before I was born.
And shockingly, we then added another loss to our story. Did I mention that cancer is a thief?
Cancer now has stolen my Grandpa. Glioblastoma this time. Diagnosed and gone within 3 months. Because my Dada knows what it is like to hear the words, “you have cancer” we spent much of our time flying back and forth from Edmonton to Winnipeg to support my Grandpa. Cancer stole him on May 6th.
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Our current situation …
Cancer stole so much joy from us last year and replaced it with worry, stress and heartache. But now - My Dada has been CANCER FREE for 1 year!
One extremely tough year behind us… But ahead - BLISS! CELEBRATION! LIVING and LOVING life, CANCER FREE. We are so beyond grateful that my Dada fought so hard to be here with us.
My parents say I have been the best GLIMMER ever. I want to ensure others get to continue to experience glimmers in their life by raising money for ongoing support for those with Lymphoma.
Please consider donating. Thank you for reading our story.
Cade McMahon
** Glimmers: "I learned about a term called "glimmers". Which is the opposite of triggers. Glimmers are those moments in your day that make you feel joy, happiness, peace or gratitude. Once you train your brain to be on the lookout for glimmers, these tiny moments will appear more and more."
