Patrick Morris

It started as a whisper – a tender ache, a slight discomfort, a shadow of a worry. What seemed insignificant at first was soon impossible to ignore. The lump on my right armpit grew larger overnight to the size of a large lemon, more insistent, until the ache turned into unbearable pain. Before I knew it, I sat in a sterile hospital room, confronted by words that would change my life: “You have Diffuse Large B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma”. I was jolted. I thought the life I once knew would never be the same.

The diagnosis came at a time when the world seemed to be falling apart. The Covid-19 pandemic had transformed life as we knew it, amplifying fears and uncertainties. Yet, amidst the chaos, my internal battle demanded all of my attention. My Hematologist, Dr. Andrew Aw, was both candid and compassionate. “This treatment will not be easy,” he said. “It will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. Medical science will provide fifty percent of the fight, but the other half must some from you, the patient. You must want to survive.”

His words resonated deeply, setting the tone for the arduous journey ahead. Six cycles of R-Chop chemotherapy was the first battlefield followed by weekly GDP chemo and then daily radiation. Each treatment was hitting me like a tidal wave. While the technical precision of medicine sought to halt the advance of the disease, the toll on my body and spirit was immense. I found myself to fleeting moments of hope, drawing strength from every encouraging word, every small victory.

These treatments failed to stop the spread of my cancer – a devastating blow but I was not discouraged. Hope arrived in the form of innovation. Dr. Aw and Nurse Practitioner, Linda Hamelin, introduced me to the Car T-cell Immune Therapy clinical trial that gave me a chance to reclaim my life. This cutting-edge therapy involved removing my white T-cells from my body, re-engineering them into cancer-fighting agents and inject them into my body. Their mission was to attack and kill the cancer cells. These altered white T-cells multiplied by the millions in my body every day to seek and destroy the cancer cells. The process was nothing short of miraculous, yet it demanded everything I had – my physical endurance, my emotional fortitude, and my trust in the medical team.

During this grueling clinical trial, I often thought about the concept of resilience, the quiet heroism found within all of us. I came to believe that resilience is not just a state of being – it is an active choice, a determination to endure. Just as Dr, Aw said, I had to find my inner hero. This hero was the part of me that refused to give up, that pushed through the darkest hours and the most daunting uncertainties.

This special Car T-cell immune therapy worked. My Lymphoma regressed, and I entered remission – a word that felt like a sweet song. After more than two years in remission, I now stand as both a survivor and an advocate. My respect and gratitude for the researchers and medical professionals who dedicate their lives to helping improving other lives and saving more lives is immeasurable. Among them, Dr. Natasha Kekre, at the Ottawa Hospital, whose work in developing the made in Canada solution for Car T-cell Immune Therapy has paved the way for countless futures, holds a special place in my heart.

Survival is not the end of the story; it is the beginning of a new chapter. Recovery brought clarity about the importance of giving back. I am proud to be a donor to the Ottawa Hospital cancer research and to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC). I allows me to continue the fight against blood cancers. My team participated at the Light the Night walk in 2024. It was my first Light the Night walk, raising $6,000. This year, we aim even higher, with a goal of $7,500 to support groundbreaking research and lifesaving treatments.

The Light the Night walk is more than a fundraising event – it is a celebration of life to honour blood cancer heroes who are no longer with us, a community of survivors and a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Walking with current patients, survivors, supporters and families reminds me that each step we take is a step closer to eradicate the suffering caused by a blood cancer. The luminous lanterns we carry symbolize hope, resilience and remembrance, lighting the path forward for us all. It was the most moving and emotional event I have ever attended.

Reflecting on my journey, I celebrate the extraordinary advancements in medical science, particularly therapies like Car T-cell treatment, which offer new possibilities for those battling blood cancers. These innovations represent the culmination of years of dedication, collaboration and breakthroughs – proof that humanity’s collective ingenuity can transform lives.

My story is not just a story of survival but a testament to the power of determination, community and compassion. It is a reminder that even in the face of immense hardship, we have the capacity to rise, adapt and thrive. To anyone facing a similar battle, I offer this: look within yourself and find your inner hero. Draw strength from the people and advancements that surround you. Together, we can face the most formidable challenges.

As I move forward, I remain committed to supporting research, raising awareness and sharing hope. Each day is truly a gift, an opportunity to create new memories with loved ones and to live with purpose. This journey has not been easy, but it has been transformative, reminding me the value of life, the importance of time and the boundless possibilities of a lifetime.