CN Cycle for CHEO

Charlie

Diagnosis
Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer
Symptoms
Missed menstrual cycle, weight loss, and a tumour found on the left ovary (eventually spread to lungs).
Treatment Plan
Surgery to remove the tumour, left ovary, and fallopian tube; 3 rounds of chemotherapy; blood thinners for a blood clot.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
"I want to be an architect! I love creating and designing things."
What do you do for fun?
"I love drawing, solving math problems, and cracking jokes—it always makes me and my mom laugh."
Happy CHEO moment:
"Shaving my head with my family was actually really special because it made me feel strong and in control. Oh, and eating pizza at the hospital was the best!"

Charlie is a vibrant 16-year-old with remarkable strength. This resilient teenager is a talented artist, a mathematics wizard and she’s always ready with a witty joke. Charlie is also a cancer survivor, having won her battle with stage 2 ovarian cancer this past year.

It all started with a missed menstrual cycle—an event that immediately raised concerns for both Charlie and her mother, Amanda. While a missed cycle can often be attributed to stress, medication, or hormonal imbalances, eight months without an explanation sent Amanda’s worry into overdrive. They knew they needed answers—and fast.

An urgent ultrasound revealed a tumour on Charlie’s left ovary. “From that moment on, it felt like a rocket ship taking off,” recalls Amanda. “We were at CHEO the very next day, and Charlie’s surgery to remove the tumour was scheduled just a week later. CHEO acted quickly.”

The goal of the surgery was to remove as much of the tumour as possible, which ultimately led to the complete removal of Charlie’s left ovary and fallopian tube. Biopsy samples were sent to CHEO’s pathology lab, and the diagnosis came back as stage 2 malignant ovarian cancer.

“CHEO quickly arranged for a chest CT scan, which showed additional growths in her lungs,” Amanda explained, her voice trembling. “This type of tumour is very rare, and when it advances to stage 2, it can spread to the lungs. Since lung biopsies can be complicated, the doctors decided to begin chemotherapy right away.”

CHEO became Charlie’s second home as she endured three challenging rounds of chemotherapy, each requiring her to be hospitalized for five days. During the off weeks, she attended outpatient chemotherapy appointments, then spent the following week at home resting. Despite facing immense adversity, Charlie approached her chemotherapy treatment like a true champion, maintaining a positive attitude throughout. She even managed to enjoy pizza in the hospital!

One of the most heartbreaking side effects of chemotherapy for Charlie was losing her hair. “I couldn’t bring myself to brush it. I just couldn’t watch the clumps fall out, so I had my mom do it,” Charlie shared. “In the end, I decided to shave my head. I didn’t want to reach a point where I could see my head while I still had long hair—it would have been too sad. We shared a special moment as a family, and my dad shaved his head too. Once I shaved mine, it felt empowering to be the one in control. It wasn’t the chemo taking my hair; it was my choice.”

Though Charlie’s determination to stay positive was truly inspiring, a frightening side effect from her chemo port was the one challenge that briefly shook her spirit. A blood clot had formed on the exit aorta valve of her heart. While doctors reassured them that the clot posed no risk of entering her heart, the diagnosis still sent Charlie back to CHEO for another week—just when she longed to be at home. “My body responded well to the blood thinners, and it shrank within weeks. I still had to take the blood thinners twice a day for three months, even though the clot had disappeared by week three,” Charlie explained.

When asked how she navigated her cancer journey, Charlie emphasized the importance of humour. “Humour is your best friend,” she said. “It makes you feel good. It’s important to find what makes you happy and hold on to it. My mom and I loved making jokes because they always made us laugh.”

“From a mother’s point of view, Charlie was grateful, which was an amazing thing,” added Amanda. “She found gratitude in this horrible situation, gratitude for good meals, gratitude when her friends came to visit, gratitude when she got home from the hospital – that for me was what I noticed the most about how she got through the whole thing.”

After finishing chemotherapy, Charlie wore estrogen patches for two months to help regulate her hormones. “My periods are back,” she said proudly. “They’re not fun, but I’m so happy to have them. I went an entire year without one.”

“We celebrate periods in this house,” added Amanda. “Menstruation is one of those things we often think of as a hassle, but it’s also something that identifies us as women. When it’s gone, especially unexpectedly, it’s an emotional experience. For Charlie to be fortunate enough to have it return is truly a celebration.”

Today, Charlie is thriving. With the world at her feet, she’s focused on finishing high school and pursuing her dream of becoming an architect. With her unwavering determination, there’s no doubt she will achieve whatever she sets her heart on.

Stories of the 2025 McDonald’s Dream Team