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Robbie Keats Age: 3
submitted by Melanie Keats of Calgary, Alberta

This dedication is in the memory of my older brother Robbie and in recognition of my parents amazing tribute to family, love, strength and courage.

I was only an infant when my family learned that my older brother Robbie had a form of blood cancer, known as Acute Myleoblastic Leukemia. "Rob" was only three and my parents were barely in their twenties. Rob was not your typical three-year old. He had this quality that just drew people to him. He loved everything and everybody…even that little ant on the sidewalk…"no, mommy…be careful…don’t step on the ant, you’ll squash him." As a toddler, sharing should have been the last thing on his mind, but Rob’s first priority was making sure that everybody around him had everything that they needed. My mother tells a story of when Rob was in the hospital over Halloween. Mom had him dressed up and ready to celebrate the occasion, when he plopped himself in his little red wagon and promptly insisted that mom and dad take him around the unit where he gave away each sweet treat. Rob touched us all and although I was too young to really know my brother, my mother tells me that his little baby "dister" was the light of his life. He is most definitely my guiding light.

As I said, Rob was not your typical three-year old. His knowledge of his disease and peace with the inevitable outcome was a quality that continues to amaze us all. Rob loved his family, but he knew his place was with God. After repeated trips to the hospital, rounds and rounds of chemo, innumerable blood transfusions, pokes and tests, Rob made his way "home" one short year after his diagnosis. Although I never really knew my brother…I will never forget him. His love, courage and strength is a mere reflection of what my parents have instilled in us all.

It is events such as The Coast-to-Coast Ride Against Cancer that has allowed me to write this dedication today. Through new technologies, medical advances and the strength of my family I, at the age of 31, have successfully battled cancer on two separate occasions. As a long-term childhood cancer survivor, I continue to face an uncertain future, however, your ride today will continue to generate the awareness and contribute the much needed resources to the ongoing battle against cancer.

My family…they are my inspiration and your journey today is an incredible tribute to their unwavering courage.