First a cancer diagnosis, then Hurricane Helene hit their home

“For people who think about donating to a smaller organization, it’s the most generous thing. It makes such a difference. It puts me in a better place to give him [Toby] a place to live. It gives us a little wiggle room.”  - All-star Toby’s mom Cameron.

For most people, experiencing the devastation caused by a hurricane would be the worst part of their year. For Cameron and her son Toby, it wasn’t.

Before Hurricane Helene struck the Southeastern U.S. in late September 2024, four-year-old Toby was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Cameron described the damage from the storm as looking like a “war zone,” but her mind immediately went to her son’s cancer treatment.

Toby’s school was moved to a FEMA base camp, and at the time of this interview, the family was still without running water. It took 10 days for power to return.

“Even when cell service returned, I couldn’t get through to the clinic,” she said. “I drove by the week after, but the cancer treatment center was closed. Finally, I got through and I was able to reschedule his treatment.”

This was a relief. They would manage post-hurricane, but Toby needs his treatment to get rid of the cancer in his body.

For Cameron and Toby, it’s just the two of them. They have no family in the area. Cameron works full-time as an administrator at a college for acupuncturists. Toby recently started kindergarten and likes to ride mountain bikes. According to his mother, he has always been a daredevil who learned to ride without training wheels. They love to explore local playgrounds, go swimming, wrestle, and play ninja.

She reflects on the first sign that things weren’t right with Toby. He “got a boo-boo on his hand,” Cameron said.

The wound didn’t heal and became puffy, so she took Toby to the doctor, where he was given antibiotics.

Then, he developed tiny red dots on his toes. At first, Cameron thought Toby had just outgrown his shoes. When she tried to rub lotion on them, he cried out in pain.

It was flu season at the time, so they had to wait for a doctor’s appointment. Cameron said she had a bad feeling. She had Googled “red dots on toes” and found petechiae, small spots caused by broken blood vessels, and learned they could be a symptom of leukemia.

The doctor agreed they should look into it and ordered blood work before sending them to the children’s hospital.

“She told me it looked like leukemia, told me to pack a bag, and that he would need a bone marrow test,” Cameron said. “I went into shock and was in a full daze.” 

That was the start of a 10-day hospital stay for Toby and his mom.

Toby said he found ways to keep busy and have fun, despite the circumstances. “I played Super Mario Kart, and I liked the motorcycle that I rode around all the time, and the Mandalorian Star Wars character,” he said.

Toby also liked the therapy dogs.

He was not so happy with some of the other things he was experiencing though, including blood work and platelet transfusions. He also didn’t like having his port put in or the steroids.

Although he didn’t mind losing his hair, Cameron said she did.

“I felt like my kid was healthy when he went into the hospital and when we went home, he had dark rings under his eyes, had gained 10 pounds from the steroids, was always hungry, and had stopped sleeping,” Cameron said. “It was like having a different child.” 

Cameron said she tries to keep her emotions in check around Toby but admitted it is hard.

“The stress and challenges can be exhausting,” she said. “I like to be independent, so it was difficult to accept help from others.”

Cameron’s independence and grit come from her training. “I was a kickboxer in my former life,” said Cameron smiling. However, no mom should have to make the tough decisions she has had to make. She quickly realized she had no choice but to ask for outside help.

Her employer of nine years allowed her to work from home to care for Toby until he could return to daycare which was helpful. Now she needed to find a way to pay the bills that were stacking up.

When she received the Orange Envelope from Pinky Swear, it relieved some of their financial pressure, Cameron said.

The Orange Envelope Program provides timely assistance, including a gift card and Letters of Encouragement.

“It allowed for a little bit extra, we bought a few more groceries that week. Where I live is expensive and I barely make a living wage,” Cameron said.

She also received help to pay her mortgage from Pinky Swear.

“It was mind-blowing,” Cameron said. “I still have no words, it just happened last month so I can feel the impact right now. The money I thought I would have to spend is still in my account.” 

Through it all, Cameron and Toby have tried to maintain a normal life despite knowing he still has two years of treatment ahead of him. He loves riding his bike, swimming, and playing with cars. His friends help distract him along with going to baseball games. 

Cameron said for people to donate to organizations like Pinky Swear is “the most generous thing and it makes such a difference.”

“Foundations like Pinky Swear have been showing up for us,” she said. “It puts me in a better place to give Toby a place to live. It gives us a little wiggle room.”