Rockstar sendoff for B.C. 12-year-old on way to final chemo appointment
Hundreds of students, parents and teachers lined Vancouver streets Tuesday morning for the type of reception usually reserved for pop stars or royalty.
They weren’t waiting for Harry Styles. No, they were there to see a fresh prince of the West Side who really knows how to make an entrance.
Accompanied by a fleet of supercars, and sitting comfortably in the front seat of a shiny red Ferrari, 12-year-old Nick Cannon took in the incredible reception from his West Point Grey Academy classmates.
“This is amazing!” he told CTV News as hundreds chanted his name.
Over Spring Break, doctors diagnosed Nick with sarcoma, a soft-tissue cancer. Since then he’s had major surgery and gone through 11 rounds of chemotherapy.
His classmates, along with students at half a dozen other schools, lined up to wish him well as he headed to B.C. Children’s Hospital for his final round of chemo, which includes a three-week isolation period.
“You are so strong and we are so proud of you. You’re just so amazing,” said one Grade 7 classmate as she held a sign with Nick’s name on it. “We all look up to you and you can do this. We got you.”
Soaking in the adoration and waving to the crowd like a seasoned superstar, Nick strode over to a black and teal Lamborghini, getting behind the wheel to rev the engine and make some noise of his own.
Simultaneously laughing and crying, his biggest fan looked on.
“He is so loved. And it’s just people having the opportunity to show up,” said Kelly Cannon, Nick’s mom. “If you give people the opportunity, I believe in the good and magic of the world and this is what it comes to. And this is my guy! He is magic.”
His father said it all started when a few parents began talking about doing something special for Nick, but nobody imagined it would snowball like it did.
“It went viral and it’s mind-blowing. It’s overwhelming. It’s incredible,” said Darren Cannon.
Everybody who is anybody in Vancouver clamoured for a moment with Nick Tuesday as his convoy pulled up to the hospital entrance including Fin, the Vancouver Canucks mascot, who presented him with a gift from the team.
“I think this is probably the most epic entrance to the hospital that I’ve had any patient come in for,” said Dr. Rod Rassekh, Nick’s oncologist.
Just before he walked through the doors with his mom, who will stay with him in isolation over the next three weeks, Nick received one final surprise from his classmates — a box full of numbered packages to be opened one per day until they can see him again.
“Cool, awesome, great,” the young man of the hour said, before embarking on the final leg of his difficult medical journey.
If this is the kind of support he’s getting on his way into the hospital — one can only imagine what Nick can expect when he comes back out.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.