Kids Cancer Care – Christine McIever

In 1986 when Christine McIver’s son Derek was diagnosed with a brain tumour, there were very few programs in the province to help children and families navigate childhood cancer. With a group of dedicated volunteers, Christine started what would become Kids Cancer Care in her basement. Today, Kids Cancer Care is internationally recognized for the quality and diversity of programming, uniquely designed to meet the needs of the whole family at each stage in the cancer journey—from diagnosis through treatment, and even bereavement. Christine’s life’s work to children with cancer has been recognized with several prestigious awards including a Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal and an Alberta Centennial Medal. In 2017, she received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Calgary. Although her son Derek did not live to see the work of his mother, his memory lives on in the work of his mother and her staff at Kids Cancer Care.