Fight Club: Recent Episodes
Good Hood Club
Fight Club is the Good Hood Club's official podcast. Good Hood Club is committed to fostering a community founded in the principles of social "GOOD", selling loungewear and donating 50% of profits to childhood cancer initiatives. Fight Club further promotes Good Hood Club's commitment to social good by establishing a forum to share unique' "fight stories" - stemming from a broad array of personal adversities. Fight Club's goal is to leverage the power of storytelling to inspire others. Through sharing "fight stories", we hope to further our sentiment that "you are stronger than you think".
Lucas immigrated with his family to Canada from Brazil in 2008. And just when he finally felt like he was settling in, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumour on the cerebellum - the back part of your brain.
As a native Brazilian, soccer was core to Lucas' identity. For pretty much his entire life, he played competitive soccer. Like many of his teammates, Lucas dreamed of one-day playing professional soccer; however, these dreams quickly faded when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Despite no longer being able to play soccer, Lucas found ways to remain involved in the soccer community, namely as a team manager. Specifically, Lucas spent the past 4 years as a student manager for the University of Toronto's Men's Soccer Team.
This past spring, Lucas graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Toronto in Kinesiology. He is taking the year off to figure out what he wants to do.
We are honoured to have Lucas as part of our CCAM campaign, continuing to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer.
Head to our blog to read or watch today's episode.
Please join us in welcoming Kafia Ibrahim to Fight Club. Kafia is a two-time childhood cancer survivor turned cancer nurse.
Kafia was first diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at 8 years old. Then, 6 years later, just days before her Grade 8 graduation, she relapsed.
Kafia’s strength is unparalleled. Inspired by her journey with cancer, Kafia has gone on to pursue a career as a Pediatric Oncology nurse, working in SickKids' hematology/oncology department.
We are honoured to welcome Kafia, as she embodies the essence of strength and empathy. Every day, Kafia works tirelessly to provide comfort to families that need It most. Thank you, Kafia!
Watch this episode on YouTube.
For the past 18 years, Arvinder has served as a pediatric onoclogy nurse at Sick Kids Hospital. Although the childhood cancer journey is never easy, we are grateful for the unparalleled support of nurses, like Arvinder, who help patients and their families navigate this unimaginable journey.
Please join us in welcoming Arvinder to Fight Club, learning about the remarkable work she does. Thank you, Arvinder!
When Emelia was diagnosed with a brain tumour about 20 years ago, doctors didn't think she would survive. But in true Emelia fashion, she defied all the odds.
Emelia continues to deal with many challenges related to her treatment, but she is a fighter. Emelia advises others: "it's ok to be different and that you can only do something to the best of your abilities."
Last year, Emelia scored a job as a facilitator with POGO's Survivor-to-Survivor (S2S) network. Emelia crafted her very own program on college, helping other survivors decide whether college is the pathway for them. She is an inspiration among the survivor community.
POGO recognizes survivors as the experts in their journey. The S2S Network is a special series of free presentations where survivor facilitators present helpful information, lead discussions and share personal experiences about a variety of survivorship topics.
The Fight Club is back with Learning from the Expert with Helen Antoniades, a valued member of the childhood cancer community. Currently, Helen serves as a Transitions Counsellor for the POGO School, and Work Transitions Program, which provides free one-on-one professional counselling services that assist childhood cancer and brain tumour survivors achieve their educational and career goals!
Today, Helen shares her career journey with us, giving us just a tiny glimpse into all the incredible work she does. Thank you, Helen, for your unconditional support of the POGO community and of all the extraordinary survivors!
Please sign up for the POGO Transitions newsletter, which you can find in the link in our bio. The newsletter is published twice a year and offers the latest information about services for childhood cancer and brain tumour survivors; general event listings; and articles about education, work and survivorship!
In honour of Meagan's Walk & HUG being only two days away, we are pleased to present our 2nd podcast of the week with Meagan's HUG Hero, Chris Dorsey! For the past 10 years, Chris has participated in the Walk & HUG with his family and friends after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009. Chris' story is one of resilience and courage and we are so grateful to be able to share it with you.
Chris was just 10 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Although Chris' diagnosis seems like ages ago, the memories remain at the forefront of his mind. Specifically, Chris recalls the significance Meagan's HUG played in his journey. From the start, Chris and his family were welcomed with open arms into Meagan's HUG, a tight-knit community of support during their unimaginable journey.
Chris and the Good Hood Club will be at Meagan's Walk & HUG this upcoming Saturday, May 7th starting at 8:00 am. The Good Hood Club will be hosting a pop-up, located at the beginning of the walk at Fort York, featuring our limited edition Meagan's HUG collection and event-exclusive Meagan's HUG hats! We are looking forward to seeing everyone there, closing with a HUG around Sick Kids.
This #MotivationalMonday we are honoured to share the remarkable story of Jessica (Jess) Rosenbloom. Jess is 18-years-old studying health sciences at the University of Ottawa. She is an avid runner and lover of nature and dogs. These are all things that define Jess; however, something ABOUT Jess is that she was diagnosed with a brain tumour nine years ago.
For the past nine years, Jess has gone through the unimaginable multiple surgeries, including the removal of her initially deemed inoperable brain tumour, as well as suffering a stroke amid her 70-round chemo. Despite all of this, Jess's strength and resilience have never waivered - even with the sudden recurrence of her brain tumour only a couple of months ago, which forced her to relocate to Boston, Massachusetts, for a specialized radiation therapy that isn't available in Canada.
Jess has finished her treatment and is back home, settling in and preparing to return to university in the fall!
Jess will participate in Meagan's HUG's annual walk and HUG this upcoming Saturday, May 7th. We are incredibly humbled by Jess and her story. Her passion for life and relentless resilience is tremendously inspiring. Please check out Jess's entire story on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Lia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at just 3-years- old. She spent ages 3-6 in the hospital, receiving treatment for her cancer. Despite all that Lia went through, her positive spirit never waivers. Lia is grateful for the positive support system that has allowed her to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Lia is now 15-years-old and has not let cancer negatively impact her life.
Lia has made it her life's work to give back to charity and the community that supported her while she was sick. As of today, Lia has spoken to over 70,000 people about her journey with cancer in the hopes of helping others going through something similar. Please join us in congratulating Lia on her incredible accomplishments & follow her new business venture @howi.love.
On this week’s episode of Fight Club, we share the unbelievable story of Dalia Schaffer, who reminds us all of the importance of gratitude, love and support. Just this past fall, Dalia was a normal 20-year-old studying psychology at McGill when she suddenly discovered a lump in her breast. Initially, Dalia thought it was nothing. However, in only a matter of weeks, Dalia was diagnosed with the unthinkable: breast cancer. After further exploration, Dalia discovered she had Stage 3 Breast Cancer, which had also spread to some of her lymph nodes.
Since Dalia’s diagnosis, she began writing a blog called Living My Breast Life – detailing her journey with breast cancer. We encourage everyone to check out Dalia’s blog and its optimistic approach to such a painful illness: www.livingmybreastlife.ca.
Dalia’s journey is far from over, but it is inspiring nonetheless. With Dalia’s immense strength and perseverance, we have no doubt she will do amazing things. Thank you, Dalia! You are truly remarkable, and we are so lucky to have you as part of the "CLUB!"
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any Fight Stories. Remember, you're stronger than you think.
Today, we are honoured to share Owen Brady's Story. Owen is a 19-year-old Osteosarcoma survivor and an elite hockey prospect. Despite being diagnosed with cancer at only 15-years-old and having to have his entire left leg reconstructed, Owen has not let cancer interfere with his hockey dreams. Owen continues to rebuild himself after cancer, playing Junior Hockey with the hopes of eventually playing Division I hockey in the NCAA.
We are thrilled to share both Owen's personal and athletic journey. Owen's ability to overcome such intense adversity at a young age is inspiring. We are so lucky to join #TeamOwen!
Please join us in congratulating Jacob McKenzie on being one-year cancer-free on this week's episode of Fight Club! After being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in March of 2019, Jacob has undergone a long and painful journey with cancer; however, Jacob's resilient spirit has never wavered! We are honoured to chat with Jacob this week, learning more about his journey with cancer as a young teen and his incredible musical talent.
As one of our Cozy by Kids ambassadors, Jacob's one-year cancer-free anniversary coincides with the live POGO PJ Party that will be hosted this Thursday, March 31st. The live event will feature Jacob's Story and a performance from Jacob's renowned band group, the Burlington Teen Tour Band - we are so excited!! Please join us in congratulating Jacob on being one-year cancer-free with today's episode of Fight Club, and also check out more info on the POGO PJ Party live event at www.pogopjparty.com! Plus, if you haven't already check out the Jacob Hoodie on www.goodhoodclub.com, available for purchase for a limited time only.
We are incredibly honoured to welcome Nash Wynette and his mom, Julie, to the Fight Club for our second episode! We have had the privilege of getting to know Nash already, as we collaborated with Nash on his very own Hoodie - the Nash Hoodie, which is part of our Cozy by Kids Collection for the POGO PJ Party, available now at www.goodhoodclub.com!
Nash was an ordinary five-year-old boy; he loved playing hockey, mini-sticks, dirt biking, and playing on his iPad with his friends. Therefore, when Nash was unexpectedly diagnosed with Leukemia, it took him and his family by storm. Throughout Nash's treatment, he enjoyed watching YouTube. In particular, he was inspired with the "Share the Love" hand symbol - the logo of his favourite YouTubers. Still to this day, Nash remembers the importance of this symbol in his treatment. He also made “Bravery Bracelets” with his mom while in the hospital, that he still wears to this day. Therefore, it is no surprise the "Share the Love" hand symbol & bravery bracelets can be found on the front of Nash's Hoodie for the Good Hood Club.
Nash's parents, Julie and Kyle, and little brother, Reid, have been there for every step of Nash's journey. For two and a half years, Nash underwent treatment for his cancer. There was not one moment that his family wasn't right there with him. And although the process was daunting and, at times, terrifying, their family took great comfort in Nash's prognosis. Fortunately, Nash was diagnosed with one of the most common and curable types of Leukemia. There was a straightforward protocol, and they knew that if they stuck to that protocol - despite the whirlwind of emotions - they would see successful results. And two and a half years later, Nash became proof of exactly that. Now, Nash is nearly two years cancer-free. The Wynette family continues to "share the love" and give back to the community that helped them when they were most vulnerable. At any chance they get, when they hear about new families in and around their small community who have been affected by childhood cancer, they are there to help. We are excited to watch Nash grow up. We have no doubt his love for life and passion for helping others will take him far. One day, Nash hopes to be a doctor, helping kids like him, or, a farmer - having grown up on a farm himself! Check out Nash's Hoodie! Available for Pre-order at www.goodhoodclub.com/collections/cozy-by-kids 00:00 Nash's Fight Club
In our first episode of the Fight Club (re-vamped podcast), we sat down with Mikayla Krezek to share her Fight Story with cancer. At 15 years old, she was abruptly uprooted from her hometown, Sault Ste. Marie, heading to Ronald McDonald's House Toronto with her mom to begin what would be 4 months of treatment. Coming up to the end of her treatment, she is now ready to share her story in hopes to inspire others & let those in a similar situation to her that they are not alone. We hope you are moved by her story and that it reminds you that you are stronger than you think. Thanks for listening & remember to subscribe!