On Aug. 1, 2013, Pamela and Ryan Saulters began a journey no parent ever wants to take.
Their beloved three-year-old daughter, Audrey, was diagnosed with cancer at BC Children's Hospital.
It all started just a few weeks earlier when Pam noticed one of Audrey's pupil's was bigger than the other and a week after that there was a lump on her neck.
Five short weeks later, with a tennis ball-sized lump on Audrey's neck, the diagnosis came of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a disease in which malignant cells form in muscle tissue.
After having extensive tests including a CT scan, a PET scan to see how best to combat the cancer and surgery to insert a port to access veins in Audrey's upper chest to make the administration of chemotherapy drugs easier, the 42-week chemotherapy plan was set in motion.
Today, Audrey is a cancer survivor.
"She hasn't really had any major issues and the follow ups have all been good," said Pamela. "Everything is manageable so far."
Audrey's favourite subject in school is math and she enjoys dance class. She takes ballet, tap, jazz and Highland dance.
Ballet is her favourite right now, she said. "When we were in ballet class the teacher let us go outside and we danced in the gazebo."
The Saulters family, which includes older brother Easton, have settled into a routine after the intensity of Audrey's medical treatment and Audrey and Pamela only have to travel to B.C. Children's Hospital twice a year for check ups that last between two and four days.
During those days, the staff at the hospital are always happy to see Audrey and listen when she talks about all her adventures in dance class.
Staff work closely with their patients, Pamela said, and for the first time Audrey, with the help of a member of her team of healthcare workers, was able to have her 45-minute long MRI without being sedated. They even practiced beforehand in preparation.
That was a big step for Audrey.
"She did very well," said Pamela. "Staff is so caring and they just never give up."
Thursday is Jeans Day, which is a fundraising event for B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation where people are invited to wear denim from head to toe.
Vancouver Canucks Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Whitecaps FC team member David Ousted and BC Lions team member Jason Arakgi are official Jeans Day 2017 ambassadors.
"Jeans Day is a great way to connect people from around the province to BC Children's Hospital," said Henrik Sedin, captain for the Vancouver Canucks. "I'm happy to be a part of this campaign and to help support the work B.C. Children's Hospital does for children and families, including my own."
Jeans Day buttons are $5, lapel pins are $20.
For more information about participating in Jeans Day visit www.jeansday.ca.
