Most people have never heard of neuroblastoma, so before you read on about Jordan Hopkins and his story I thought it would be prudent to explain to our readers what it is.
Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that almost always affects infants and young children under five years of age and is usually the most common type of cancer in infants. It is a disease in which a solid tumor (a lump or mass caused by uncontrollable or abnormal cell growth) is formed by special nerve cells called neuroblasts. Normally, these immature cells grow and mature into functioning nerve cells, but in neuroblastoma, they become cancer cells instead. It most commonly starts on the tissue of the adrenal glands, the triangular glands on top of the kidneys that produce hormones for controlling heart rate, blood pressure, and other important functions. Like other cancers it can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, skin, liver and bones.
You were diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at two years of age. You’re now 16, and likely understand the severity of the events that unfolded for your parents at that time. Can you give us a glimpse of what you had to go through?
It started with being airlifted to Vancouver where I stayed for a month and started chemotherapy. I was able to come home from Vancouver once a month after that while I continued with treatment. I had many surgical procedures including having my tumour removed and required lots of blood and platelet transfusions. The last part of the treatment was a stem cell rescue which was pretty intense and I was quite sick for a long time before I was able to leave the hospital. My mom said I had two IV poles that were called Christmas Trees and they had some stuff hanging from it. I don’t really remember much of that time as I was only two but I have heard my mom tell the story many times. She had to quit her job to be able to take care of me and my dad was able to come over on the weekends. My grandparents helped out a lot with my older sister.
Against all odds you survived. Do you have any long-term effects from the chemotherapy? If so, how have you been able to handle them?
One of the main effects was hearing loss for which I received lots of speech therapy and help at school. The other main thing is that the doctors need to monitor my heart as one of the drugs I got is known to cause heart damage as I get older. I don’t worry about the side effects too much as I have learned to cope with them. As there aren’t many survivors they don’t really know what all the long term effects might be.
You currently attend Claremont Secondary and excel at various sports. You swim 6-7 times a week, compete in triathalons and have done XTERRA events. What drives you to compete so hard at such a young age?
I have always enjoyed playing sports and started swimming when I was eight and I really enjoyed being at the pool. We have a fun group of swimmers and everybody pushes each other. We are really lucky to have the program at Claremont and Saanich Commonwealth pool is one of the top pools in Canada. I started mountain biking while at Royal Oak Middle school and the XTERRA was a great combination of swimming and biking. Last year while competing in the triathlon at the BC Summer Games I had a great time meeting and competing with kids from all over the province.
Both your parents and your sister have focused on careers in the medical and health industry. Do you have any idea what direction you might see yourself striving towards?
One part of me thinks that it would be great to be able to work designing bikes – both mountain and road bikes. Another part is interested in dentistry like my Dad. Claremont High School offers a lot of different courses and I have steered towards the sciences.
Your family is involved in various fundraising events to promote awareness of this rare disease. Have you participated in any of them and which ones have been your favourite?
When I was five, we held a family fun bike ride down Lochside trail which was a lot of fun as we had Simon Whitfield and Adam Kreek, and Kelly Guest came with his group of riders. I have given speeches and done head shaves at school and once I gave a motivational speech with Brian Price at Evening to Inspire. I have been fortunate to be able to meet a lot of Olympic athletes during these events. My mom has a big event called Handbags for Hope, she lets me pass on that one, but I have helped collecting the handbags. I also help out with Touch a Truck another event my Aunt hosts, it is fun to help the kids play with the big trucks.
BIO: Jordan Hopkins, Student Athlete
Jordan is a 16 year old living in Victoria BC. He attends Claremont Secondary School and is part of the Sports Institute for Aquatics. Jordan was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma at two years old and was given a 20 percent chance of surviving his cancer. He grew up playing all sports. At nine he won the Apple triathlon, since then he has participated in many triathlons, and most recently won four silver medals at the BC Summer Games.
