Princess Margaret Supporter Stories

Sarcoma is a group of rare cancers affecting soft tissue and bone. It can be found anywhere in the body, including muscles, fat, nerves, and bones. There are over 70 distinct subtypes, yet combined, they account for less than one percent of adult cancers. Because each subtype is incredibly rare, the patient population is small and scattered, leaving a severe shortage of critical data. This July, as part of Sarcoma Awareness Month, members of our supporter community are sharing why they Carry The Fire to inspire hope for sarcoma patients and their loved ones.

How Patrick’s Diagnosis Inspired The Wilson Sarcoma Research Fund

In 2015, eighteen-year-old Patrick Wilson was enjoying his first year of university in Florida when he realized something was wrong. By the time doctors discovered the aggressive tumor in his pelvis, it had already spread to his lymph nodes and lungs. He returned home to Toronto and was diagnosed with Stage 4 embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma—a rare cancer mostly seen in children. Without a clear treatment path, he underwent nine months of chemotherapy, two months of radiation, and lung surgery. Luckily, his treatment was successful, and he was able to regain a sense of normalcy.

Then, after graduating university, the cancer returned. Patrick moved into Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for intensive chemotherapy, followed by a grueling 24-hour surgery. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the hospital team, he woke up cancer-free.

To help others, Patrick and his family created The Wilson Sarcoma Research Fund. The fund supports a global tissue sample database at The Princess Margaret, facilitating research for rare cancers and connecting global specialists to exchange vital information.

“Because it’s such a rare form of cancer, it doesn’t get the funding that other larger cancers get,” Patrick said. “We knew we could make a difference.”

Your donation today will give brighter tomorrows to patients like Patrick. Click here to Carry The Fire for sarcoma research and treatment.

The Sycamore Fund is Transforming Outcomes for Leiomyosarcoma Patients

The founders of The Sycamore Fund saw their lives change forever in 2018 when a beloved family member was diagnosed with pelvic leiomyosarcoma. The symptoms that brought their loved one to the hospital turned out to be a tumour at the base of his spine. Tragically, it was misdiagnosed by three different doctors before a biopsy performed by Dr. Carol Swallow, a surgical oncologist at The Princess Margaret, and her surgical team at Mount Sinai confirmed leiomyosarcoma. This is an ultra-rare cancer that most physicians will never encounter during their careers.

By the time the correct diagnosis was made, the tumour was inoperable. One round of aggressive chemotherapy temporarily shrank the tumour but caused irreversible damage to major organs, leaving palliative care as the only option. In August 2018, the heart and soul of their family was gone.

Despite experiencing profound loss, the family maintained hope for other patients. Through conversations with Dr. Swallow, they learned of her vision to advance research into pelvic leiomyosarcoma and were inspired to establish The Sycamore Leiomyosarcoma Research Fund. The fund supports efforts to transform global patient outcomes by creating a library of knowledge that will lead to faster diagnoses and ignite standardized treatment protocols.

Though they could not change their loved one’s story, they wanted other families to have a different one to tell. Through research, knowledge, and awareness, they hope to empower those facing similar journeys and ensure they feel less alone.

By donating to The Sycamore Fund, you can fuel hope for leiomyosarcoma patients here in Canada, and around the world. Click here to help Carry The Fire for a world free from the fear of cancer.

Kami Brown’s Legacy of Hope

Kami Brown always found purpose in serving others. Just two weeks after his adult rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis in December 2021, he launched a mission to gather gift cards for hospitalized children and their families over Christmas. Because his specific cancer lacked dedicated research and standard treatment protocols, all his options were experimental. Kami wanted his case studied so future patients could access the hope that comes with greater knowledge and clearer treatment paths.

Despite a daunting prognosis, Kami kept hope alive. His greatest wish was to pass that hope along, ensuring his journey would lead to a better outcome for someone else.

Following his passing, Kami’s family established Kami’s Legacy of Hope to keep his spirit alive, and to Carry The Fire for better sarcoma treatment options by raising vital research funds at The Princess Margaret.

“Kami had an incredible team at The Princess Margaret… the care [they] provided – not just physically, but emotionally – was exceptional,” his family shared. “There was always hope… He would want nothing more than to be able to give back.”

Click here to donate to Kami’s Legacy of Hope and help ignite life-saving breakthroughs for sarcoma patients.

Published July 23, 2026