The Western Star
CORNER brOOK — When his baby girl got sick, Chris Buckle noticed a distinct and disturbing pattern being experienced by other families of cancer patients who had to find their own way to St. John’s to access treatment.
Now that his daughter is healthy and strong, the Corner Brook man is encouraging others to join his voice in calling for new measures to reduce the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis.
He told his story at Thursday’s launch of the Canadian Cancer Society’s new e-advocacy campaign, which calls for people to demand significant changes to the provincial government’s Medical Transportation Assistance Program.
Buckle’s daughter Mira was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2005 when she was 13 months old. Buckle and his wife Stephanie immediately relocated temporarily to St. John’s, where they had to rent an apartment — while still maintaining a home in Corner Brook — while Mira received treatment on an outpatient basis at the Janeway Children’s Hospital.
Buckle said his family was fortunate in that his wife had accumulated plenty of sick time she could use up and a friend was able to maintain Buckle’s small business while he was away. But the most fortunate part of their situation was the incredible support the Buckles received from family, friends and the community at large.
“Many of the families at the Janeway were not so fortunate,” Buckle said. “They could benefit from the government assistance program, but it just wasn’t enough. So many of the parents we met were so stressed about money issues, let alone the overwhelming worry of having a sick child. For a lot of families living outside St. John’s, there was a familiar pattern.
“First, you are living a normal life with a healthy child. Second, your world is crushed by learning your kid has cancer. Third, after you begin to accept the new harsh reality, you realize you may be facing financial ruin as you try to save your child.”

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