Home > Film Project > Participant Bios > Vikram
Partricipant Bio: Vikram
I am a 24 year survivor of Embryonic Rhabdomyosarcoma in my right middle ear. I was diagnosed in 1984 and finished treatment in 1986. I received a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. About two weeks after my annual follow up appointment in March 2006, I discovered a lump on the right side of my face on my cheek bone. It was determined to be an osteosarcoma which had developed as a result of the radiation that I received twenty years ago. As the treatment has improved for chemotherapy, I was able to have the tumor removed by surgery within seven months of diagnosis. I am now very happy to be a survivor childhood cancer and young adult cancer.
After treatment I had the extreme pleasure of attending Camp Circle O' Friends in Saskatchewan for several years. This camp helped the healing process immensely and I was extremely happy that I was able to enjoy summer camp like any other child. I was able to share my camping experience to a group of doctors and the local news to help increase awareness and the need for continuing support for the camp.
I was also able to attend a camp in Montana for Young Adults with cancer. After attending this camp my heart and soul felt completely revitalized. My enthusiastic attitude and people personality gave the impression to my new friends that I was a counselor, and not a first time camper. I continually encourage any new young adult survivors and patients I meet to attend this camp as miracles always happen when you're camping under the stars.
During this time I also became a part of the Young Adult Cancer Network from which I have made some great friends who know and understand what is like to be a young adult cancer survivor. At first I've felt a little different than the rest of the group because my experience was so long ago but know after going through my second episode, I can truly associate why it is so hard being alone at our age. In the last few years, my friend and I presented on various topics including awareness & support for young adults and cancer. A lot of our research for the presentations was done through a retreat that we were able to orchestrate very quickly for a group of survivors from BC, Alaska, California, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
If we can help make young patients and survivors of cancer feel comfortable with whom they are and remember that we are all here together. To remember that there is happiness and laughter, which will help any one soul light up for a moment long enough to forget the bad and remember the good. We need to keep encouraging hope and strength to ensure each and every one of us has the power to live strong.
I have great anticipation for this expedition with old and new friends. I hope that by sharing my experiences and knowledge, together we will fulfill the goals of Survive & Thrive Adventures Inc and help bring a louder awareness to the three words 'Young Adult Cancer'
Our Mission
To help young adult survivors of severe illness or injury identify, process and apply life lessons through adventure activites.