30 years of horizon

Hi, I’m Sam! In September 2025, I will be a first year chemistry student at the University of Calgary. My goal is to become a high school science teacher!

As a baby, I was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer. My parents rushed me from Calgary to Toronto for emergency surgery. The day before my first birthday, the surgeons removed my right eye so they could save my life. It was the best and worst birthday present of my life. I have had several other surgeries as well as lots of physiotherapy and occupational therapy. I have a prosthetic eye and I have monocular vision, which means I have no depth perception, reduced peripheral vision, reduced spatial awareness, and balance issues. Despite that, I am really lucky because I survived my cancer!

While I wish I had never gotten cancer, it has led to opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Probably the most impactful experience I had was participating in the On the Tip of the Toes Grand Expedition Summer 2023, a 10 day canoe trip on the Spanish River, Ontario. It was a fantastic trip and something I will never forget!

As a city boy who isn’t the most well-versed in outdoor exploration, the Expedition was a very daunting experience for me. I remember meeting my fellow participants on a Zoom call a few weeks before the trip and feeling completely out of my depth. I didn’t know if I had the skills to succeed on such a long journey in the wilderness, or if I’d fit in with anyone else there. By the end of the trip though, all my doubts were turned on their head and I was so glad to have been able to participate in this adventurous journey!

The Expedition was both a difficult and wonderful experience. I learned new skills, including canoeing and how to survive in the wilderness. I learned the importance of teamwork and the value of perseverance and determination in achieving your goals. I gained new independence by moving out of my comfort zone. I connected with youth from all over Canada, cancer survivors like me, who I would have never met otherwise, and formed bonds with the amazing adults that facilitated the trip. Through the skills I learned, the people I met, and the experiences I had, I grew immensely as a person. I realised that I was much more powerful than I thought, that something only seems impossible until it is actually accomplished, and that you can do anything if you tap into your inner strength. I’m so grateful to have had this life changing opportunity!

The On the Tip of the Toes Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026! I want to support this amazing organization so that other cancer survivors like me can have the kind of impactful experiences I did. Please help me achieve my goal of raising $1000. Thank you for your donation!