Olympic Oval partners with Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta

In December 2021, the Olympic Oval partnered with Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta to provide three exclusive skate sessions for young cancer patients and their families. 

Invited guests were all part of the PEER program – Pediatric cancer patients and survivors Engaging in Exercise for Recovery. The program was created in 2012 as part of Dr. Carolina Chamorro Vina’s post-doctoral appointment at the University of Calgary’s Health and Wellness Lab, directed by Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, and is now an active community program offered through the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. The PEER program is free for all families affected by cancer and other hematological diseases, with the objectives to: 

• Bring normalcy 
• Improve physical literacy
• Decrease side effects from cancer and its treatment
• Help kids to regain healthy level of fitness 
• Improve self-confidence to participate in physical activities and help them to reinsert in physical activities offered in the community, and
• Improve quality of life 

For many of the children involved, these sessions were their first experience on ice-skates. Several fabulous volunteers from the Oval Elite Athlete Pathway Program and UCalgary’s Active Living helped facilitate the program, providing expertise on how to properly tie your skates, stepping onto the ice for the first time or returning to the ice after life-changing illness, and organizing games as part of the on-ice experience. 

Program director, Dr. Carolina Vina was thrilled with the success of the event: “This was a great opportunity for these immunocompromised children to discover or re-discover an amazing sport in a safe environment that might keep them active for life. The staff and volunteers went above and beyond to make families feel safe, comfortable, and decrease any mobility barriers to provide all of them with an amazing experience. It was great seeing these families that have gone through so much skating together.”

Exercise is integral to a child’s cancer recovery - it counteracts the side effects of therapy, improves quality of life and engages social connection.  Over just three sessions, it was easy to see the impact that this opportunity had on the kids in their desire to overcome physical obstacles and just have fun - the evidence is in the smiles on their faces. 

If you are interested in learning more about PEER, or would like to volunteer, please email cchamorro@kidscancercare.ab.ca