Back in January 2012 Lisa Nucich, Aidan's grade 7 teacher along with Anna Maria Niccoli-Mullett the school principal and also Georgina Arntzen the other grade 7 teacher from Maquinna Elementary had nominated Aidan to take part in the Rick Hansen Relay. Aidan along with Anna Maria had written a letter explaining why he should be a medal bearer.
January 26, 2012
Re: 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay – A Personal Story
My name is Aidan Chin. I am a Grade 7 student currently attending Chief Maquinna Elementary School in southeast Vancouver.
In Grade 6, I attended Franklin Elementary school in Vancouver for a special ‘IntensiveFrench Program’ being offered to students in Grade 6 across the Vancouver School
District. Half way through the school year, I was diagnosed with ‘Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)’. This meant I would have to have a treatment plan that involved my
having chemotherapy until 2014.
For approximately eight weeks from my initial diagnosis, I was in BC Children’s Hospital. I can remember the cards all over my wall from my classmates at Franklin
Elementary—I learned they were folding 1,000 origami cranes in my honour and for good luck. This made me feel good inside--even though I was a new student, the wholeclass was there to help me.
While in hospital, my Grade 6 teacher and students at Franklin began fundraising moneyto assist me and my family financially. Specifically, this would assist us with purchasing
medications. The event was called ‘Shavin’ for Aidan’ with thousands of dollars raised (I think it was $7000.00).
While in the hospital, I tend to ask a lot of questions. I know all the nurses’ and doctors’names, I talk to everyone I meet, and I am really outgoing when I am there. For example,
I know the type of chemotherapy I receive is a special one that is a trial. I am, so far,experiencing success and feel proud to be the first patient trying it.
Now, I attend school whenever I feel up to it (I’m back at Maquinna as I was attending this school since Kindergarten and wanted to be with my home group). I receive chemotherapy treatment every four weeks and I am taking chemotherapy at home in pillform everyday in between hospital visits. I would be honoured to participate in the upcoming Rick Hansen Relay. I know andappreciate how much people do for me and I would be extremely grateful for having anopportunity to give back. Over the last year and a half I have learned how important thetrue meaning of life is—for me it is about family, friends, and the future.
Thank you for considering my involvement.
Aidan Chin
by the end of the day we had already received a confirmation email for Aidan to take place in the relay. Aidan had chosen Lisa Nucich to run along side him during the run. It was very meaningful to have her run with him. She had asked Aidan to do a presentation for the Grade 7s about his leukemia and what he was going through. He had visual items as well as a short video and did a Q&A. It has made Aidan stronger and helped him be more comfortable with his classmates in letting them know what he is going through. It is nice to hear Aidan tell me how caring his classmates are of him.
We are ALL so proud of Aidan. Auntie Sue, Uncle Cheez, Auntie Dee, Brandan, Dad and Mom
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