For most toddlers, the world is a playground—full of laughter, scraped knees, and the occasional tantrum over a missing toy. But for two-year-old Mavrik from Prince George, British Columbia, life has thrown a curveball that would challenge even the toughest adult. Diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma just after his second birthday in October 2024, Mavrik’s journey has been anything but ordinary. His story, and those of other cancer survivors, shine a light on how far pediatric and blood cancer treatments have come—and how the support of communities and research funding can make all the difference.
It all began innocently enough: fatigue, a drop in appetite, and a small bump on Mavrik’s belly. His parents thought it was just part of toddlerhood. But when the symptoms persisted, an ultrasound revealed something far more serious. Within hours, Mavrik was med-evaced to BC Children’s Hospital, thrust into a world of scans, biopsies, and urgent medical decisions. The diagnosis was stark: a tumor larger than his head, wrapped around major arteries, his gallbladder, and kidney, pressing against his spine. The words “high-risk neuroblastoma” would change everything for his family.
Since that fateful October, Mavrik has endured seven rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, a tumor reduction surgery, and 12 days of radiation therapy. The treatments were grueling, and he spent more than six months as an inpatient—an eternity for a little boy who just wanted to play. Yet, according to his dad, Derek, "Nothing fazes him. He just keeps going." The staff at BC Children’s Hospital, Derek says, "made the hospital feel like a second home." Mavrik’s resilience and the kindness of those around him have kept his spirits high, even on the toughest days.
Despite the odds, there’s hope. As of September 11, 2025, Mavrik’s tumor has shrunk by an astonishing 98%. He’s now started immunotherapy, the latest step in a long road to recovery. Through it all, he’s become a fixture on the hospital’s pediatric oncology unit—known affectionately as “the hockey kid.” Whether he’s playing hallway hockey in his jersey or meeting NHL star Brock Boeser, Mavrik’s passion for the sport and his infectious energy have inspired everyone around him. He even performed a ceremonial puck drop at a WHL game, a memory that will last a lifetime.
Stories like Mavrik’s are at the heart of the BC Children’s Hospital Dream Lottery, an annual fundraising initiative that supports groundbreaking research and life-saving treatments for children across the province. Malcolm Berry, President and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, puts it simply: "Funds raised from our annual Dream Lottery support life-changing research taking place at BC Children’s Hospital. As the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to children—and one of the world’s top pediatric hospitals—BC Children’s is tackling the most complex illnesses facing kids today. With donor support, expert teams are making significant leaps in critical areas like brain health, oncology, clinical trials and more. Each ticket purchased helps turn bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs—creating brighter futures for children and families across the province."
This year’s Dream Lottery, running until midnight on October 10, 2025, offers a dazzling array of prizes—2,350 in total, worth over $3.8 million. There are 11 Grand Prize packages, each valued at over $3 million, featuring luxury homes in South Surrey, Vancouver, Langley, West Kelowna, Vernon, Courtenay, Sooke, and Colwood. Winners can also choose from an extensive list of cars, cash prizes, travel gift cards, and more. For those who prefer instant gratification, there’s a tax-free cash option of $2.5 million—the biggest in the lottery’s history.
Erin Cebula, Dream Lottery spokesperson, captures the excitement: "This year’s Dream Lottery truly lives up to its name with 11 Grand Prize options, including our biggest-ever cash prize of $2.5 million, and stunning home packages from Vancouver to the Okanagan and Vancouver Island, all worth over $3 million. One of my personal favourites is the luxurious lakefront villa in West Kelowna! Imagine waking up to Okanagan views every morning. And remember, when you buy early, you’re not only increasing your chances with Bonus and Early Bird draws, you’re also helping fuel life-saving research at BC Children’s Hospital. It’s a win-win—dream big and do good."
The Early Bird Draw alone is worth $300,000, with the primary winner able to choose between a $125,000 travel package, a 2025 Audi SQ5 Sportback Technik, or a 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning and travel trailer, plus gas, groceries, and cash options. There are 51 Early Bird winners and 27 Bonus draws, making this year’s lottery the most generous yet. Tickets start at $110 for a three-pack, with larger bundles offering even better odds. Sales are available online, by phone, and in-person at London Drugs and Save-On-Foods starting July 14, 2025.
But why do these lotteries matter so much? The answer lies in stories like Mavrik’s—and in the steady march of progress in cancer treatment. Across the Atlantic, Jane Catchpole of Wroughton, Wiltshire, knows this all too well. Diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in 2004, Jane’s cancer was discovered by chance during a routine blood test. "I just lived with it for a good number of years really and my lymphocyte count sort of steadily rose through the years. In some people they can really jump rapidly and if they double in six months then that's sort of a red flag kind of thing," she told BBC News. Jane is now in remission, and credits advances in treatment for her positive outcome.
Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with more than 280,000 people currently living with one of over 40 types, including leukaemia and lymphoma. Treatments have come “leaps and bounds” in the past two decades, Jane says. "Treatments have come on leaps and bounds from just chemotherapy. We've now got seven new immunotherapy and targeted therapies, which are much gentler on the body, give just as good, if not better, results than chemo." Patients like Jane often undergo "active monitoring"—or, as she puts it, "watch and wait"—living well while being regularly tested. Common symptoms of blood cancer include unexplained weight loss, bruising or bleeding, lumps or swellings, breathlessness, night sweats, and fever.
There’s a thread connecting these stories: hope, resilience, and the power of medical progress. Whether it’s a toddler in Prince George or an adult in Wiltshire, breakthroughs in research and treatment are giving patients a fighting chance—and, sometimes, a second lease on life. For families facing the unimaginable, the support of community initiatives like the Dream Lottery and charities such as Blood Cancer UK offer more than just financial help; they provide hope for tomorrow.
As ticket sales for the Dream Lottery continue, and as survivors like Jane Catchpole share their stories, the message is clear: every dollar, every breakthrough, and every act of kindness matters. And for Mavrik, Jane, and thousands of others, that can make all the difference.
