In this episode, I share my conversation with Dawn Pickering. Dawn is the mother of two remarkable kids. Her son Ollie was diagnosed with cancer at the age of seven. He endured many rounds of treatment, one of which caused blindness in both of his eyes. Dawn’s daughter Abby, stepped up to be Ollie's stem cell donor when she was just 11 years old. Dawn tells us the story of her amazing family, how they overcame the unimaginable and how they continue to persevere despite the long-term side effects of everything they’ve been through. Dawn has since become a fierce advocate for childhood cancer, as well as for the CNIB.

Here are the links to the organizations that Dawn mentions in the episode can be found here:

Dawn Pickering:

https://www.instagram.com/pickeringdawn/

Ollie's Hope:

https://www.instagram.com/cnib_ollies_hope/

ACCESS / Acces:

https://www.instagram.com/access_acces/

Golden Moms Ottawa:

https://www.instagram.com/goldenmomsottawa?stkn=a2NoeGcyajhzaWpq

September 21, 2026 - Golden Moms on the Hill

https://www.goldenmoms.ca/event-details/gold-on-the-hill-a-national-strategy-for-kids-with-cancer

And finally, here is where you can find Templates to write your MP to ask for a national pediatric cancer strategy:

https://www.strongerthancancer.ca/access-advocacy/access-action

If you would like to share your story, please reach out at nccpod@gmail.com.

I know you'll enjoy this episode.