Kiera's Cancer Fundraiser

A long-time Gordon Head area resident and student, grade 11 Mount Douglas Secondary School student Kiera O’Connor, after an exciting night of performing in the “Evening of Dance”, discovered an unexpected lump in her leg.  It was the end of June, exams were looming for this serious, motivated student, a highly anticipated school trip to Italy was weeks away, and the doctor visits started.  The initial speculation was cancer, but more tests needed to be conducted and results needed to come in.  Kiera was stoic and positive from the get-go and really just wanted to finish up her school year strongly.  However, within 10 days, the gravity of the diagnosis sank in and Kiera was exempt from her grade 10 provincial exams and had to cancel her Italy trip.  The focus now turned to Kiera’s health and beating the cancer (a rare form of Hodgkin’s Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant  Lymphoma).  Kiera started chemo at Vancouver Children’s Hospital in July and she continues to receive chemo every two weeks.  A recent PET scan was very positive and once Kiera finishes her last cancer treatment around the end of November, Kiera will be cancer-free.  Kiera has had loads of family and friend support, and she has been the ideal patient.  This recent event in Kiera’s life has impacted our school community and thus, in the spirit of ‘Cops for Cancer’, we plan to raise both awareness and funds through a 'Kaps for Kiera' campaign at both Gordon Head Middle School and Mt. Douglas Secondary School.  





All proceeds raised, will be donated to BC Children's Hospital (Pediatric Oncology) and Ronald McDonald House.