After 14 years of having Tour de Rock support sending him to Camp Goodtimes, 20-year-old cancer survivor Matt Webb now has the opportunity to send other young cancer fighters to the same camp as a junior rider on the Tour de Rock 2012 team.
Tour de Rock raises money for pediatric cancer research and programs for children with a history of cancer, including sending children previously and currently fighting cancer to Camp Goodtimes. The Tour de Rock team cycles from one end of Vancouver Island to the other over 14 days, covering 1,000 kilometres.
A mother’s recollection
Webb was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma at the tender age of three years old. Previous to his diagnosis, there wasn’t much evidence that his health was at risk.
“Matt had a little baby belly that started getting bigger and bigger,” says his mom, Sue Webb. “We realized there was something really wrong when he wouldn’t pee because it was too painful.”
Webb immediately took her son to a clinic, where she was told it was uncommon for males to have bladder infections; still, her son was diagnosed with just that. Webb decided to get a second opinion from her family doctor, who sent them to the emergency room right away.
“After a liver biopsy it was confirmed that Matt had cancer,” says Sue. “The next day we arrived at Vancouver Children’s Hospital and the day after we were planning his chemotherapy because this type of cancer doubles quickly.”
The chemotherapy Matt went through was harsh on his young body and actually started to harm him more than the cancer.
“It got so bad that they had to finish the chemotherapy treatments earlier than planned, but thankfully Matt had gone through enough chemo to cure him of his cancer,” says Sue.
Matt was at Vancouver Children’s Hospital for seven months going through surgery and chemotherapy, then in and out again for a year and a half to boost his immune system after dealing with the aftermath of the cancer.
“During Matt’s seven months at the hospital there were 16 beds in his ward, and within that time nine of those children had passed away. I consider our case a lucky one,” says Sue.
A son’s journey
Matt was so young and sick during his stay at the hospital that he doesn’t remember much of his time there.
“Even though I don’t remember much about my battle, I am still so thankful because childhood cancer rarely advertises itself and is usually stumbled upon during routine checkups, in most cases,” says Matt.
Webb recalls flashing images of his time in the hospital, but nothing too significant; he says most of his vivid memories started when he first went to Camp Goodtimes at the age of six.
“I was at the first Tour de Rock Finale at what was then Eaton Centre in 1998,” he says. “While the cops were doing their head shave I decided I would shave my head with them in an attempt to raise money to send us kids to camp too.”
Webb loved Scooby-Doo; seeing a counsellor wearing a Scooby-Doo hat made him realize he would have a great time at camp.
“Camp Goodtimes really helped me with my self confidence. Before I went to Camp Goodtimes I wouldn’t take my shirt off when I went swimming. Seeing all of the other kids with their scars as well made me feel more comfortable to not wear my shirt,” he explains. “One of the first things I told my mom after that week at camp was that I didn’t have to wear a shirt at the beach anymore.”
Since that first year, Webb has gone to Camp Goodtimes every year, spending most years as a camper and these past three years as a junior counsellor.
“Camp is amazing, quite like any other summer camp with lots of outdoor activities like rock climbing and water sports, but it also has the ability to bring cancer patients and survivors close together,” he says.
Matt explains that there’s a “pass the bear” time at Camp Goodtimes where they pass around a teddy bear and talk about all the struggles and experiences that they have gone through, and in some cases are still going through, with cancer.
“The ‘pass the bear’ times are usually pretty emotional, but it’s great that we can really support each other through that and speak about what we’re going through in a safe and understanding environment,” he says. “I always say Camp Goodtimes is the best place on Earth with the worst admission fee.”
Journey to Tour de Rock
After 14 years of Tour de Rock’s existence, with the Webb family there sending the riders off and welcoming them back every year, this will be their year to send off Matt.
“I cry every year at the send-off, so this year with Matt riding I’m sure I’ll be a basket case,” says Sue Webb. “Really, I’m thrilled for Matt. Tour de Rock has helped direct him in his life. Being surrounded by all these influential people who are all doing something for the greater good has been great.”
CTV Vancouver Island reporter Erin Glazier will also be riding on the 2012 Tour de Rock team. Glazier has lost a loved one to cancer and holds the cause close to her heart.
“Seeing children with pediatric cancer is emotional because they have to go through so much pain during their time in the hospital and can’t really focus on just being a kid,” says Glazier. “The big reward is giving these children some time to just enjoy themselves and just be kids.”
It’s been a tough journey for the team while training for the ride. The participants will clock 80Đ120 kilometres per day and have been doing extensive training to get in shape for the ride.
“Us riders go through a lot of physical exertion each day we ride,” says Glazier, “but it doesn’t compare to what these children have to go through each day they are in the hospital.”
Matt Webb is excited to ride the island and really looks forward to visiting all of the different communities along the way.
“Every year I see riders come back with different experiences, stories, and journeys,” he says. “I’m excited to give back what Tour de Rock has given to me, and be out there on the road making my own journey.”
Tour de Rock
Saturday, September 22nd toFriday, October 5th
tourderock.ca