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Okanagan boy helping launch B.C. Childrenѻýs Hospital Christmas fundraiser

Okanagan cancer survivor stars in Whitecaps/BC Childrenѻýs Hospital promo
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Wills Hodgkinson and sister Scarlett share a moment together Thursday. Mark Brett/Western News Wills Hidgkinson, watching a bit of TV with his sister Scarlett in the Western News offices and looking healthy and strong. Mark Brett/Western News

After being a poster child for the B.C. Childrenѻýs Hospital Dream Lottery, Wills Hodgkinson is helping the hospital out once again.

This time it is kicking off their Christmas campaign, along with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Last January, Wills was rushed to the hospital where doctors found a large tumour attached to his kidney, and eight more tumours on his lungs.

Ten months later, the kidney tumour is removed, the lung tumours have shrunken and Wills is back in school at Holy Cross, with no more chemo or radiation treatments, at least for now.

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ѻýWe are going to be here for Christmas and New Years. There was a time when we never expected ѻý that was looking ѻý,ѻý said his father Tim, trailing off and unable to put the possibility into words. ѻýItѻýs a gift to be back.ѻý

There are four remaining tumours on Willsѻý lungs, which Tim describes as ѻýstabilized,ѻý and Wills goes back for more evaluations in January.

ѻýFingers crossed, if that goes well, then we could really be fully on the right road,ѻý said Tim.

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Wills has been back in school now for long enough itѻýs back to normal for him and his classmates.

ѻýPretty good, but now it is getting pretty boring,ѻý said Wills, recalling a short visit earlier this year when he wasnѻýt expected. ѻýThey all rushed at me and freaked out.ѻý

For much of the last 10 months, the childrenѻýsѻý hospital was home for Wills, with his father, mother Neely Brimer and younger sister Scarlett, staying in Vancouver to be at Willsѻý side.

ѻýAnything we can do, or that Wills can do, that can support the B.C. Childrenѻýs Hospital and the good work they do ѻý weѻýre happy to do, no question,ѻý said his father, Tim, about Wills participating in the promotional video. ѻýItѻýs fun and very exciting for him, but the main point is anything we can do to help shine a light on what they do.ѻý

The Big B.C. Snowball Fight for Kids aims to be the largest virtual snowball fight in the province, which every donation to the campaign until Jan. 6 counting as one snowball thrown.

In his video, an obviously delighted Wills runs around, throwing snowballs at Whitecaps players and participating in their practice.

Wills, a soccer player and fan, developed a strong bond with the Vancouver Whitecaps while in Childrenѻýs Hospital.

ѻýThe Whitecaps have been so much a part of our lives, theyѻýve been so good. Eric Hurtado, plus Kei Kamara and Jake Nerwinski, those three have been amazing, but particularly Eric,ѻý said Tim.

Wills also has the honour of being named a kid captain by the Whitecaps.

Though he still has far to go, Willsѻý attitude towards his cancer is positive, saying heѻýs done with it, though heѻýs planning to stay in touch with all his Whitecaps friends.

ѻýItѻýs really cool. I know everyone on the team now,ѻý said Wills who scores a goal on Kamara in the video.

ѻýOur players and staff have had many interactions with Wills this year and they have come away truly inspired by his love for life and soccer. Heѻýs a fighter who lights up every room heѻýs in. We hope that in some small way weѻýve helped Wills and his family through a difficult period in their lives because they have certainly made a positive impact on our club,ѻý said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi.

Wills, who is already back playing winter soccer, is clear that he plans to make a career of it.

ѻýOf course! I am getting better every day,ѻý said Wills.

ѻýIѻým going to play for the Pinnacles, then when I move up to a club team, Iѻým going to play for Chelsea, then when I play for a national team, England.ѻý

For more information and fundraising ideas visit . To throw your own snowball, make a donation at .


Steve Kidd
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