Geoff Tessarolo & Beckett Tessarolo

In February 2020, our world changed when our 9-month-old son, Beckett, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). He hadn’t been acting like himself, and after a visit to our family doctor and some routine bloodwork, we received the devastating news. Late that night, our dedicated physician called us with the diagnosis, and within an hour, we were on our way to BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH), stunned and uncertain about what lay ahead.

We quickly learned that leukemia is, sadly, not uncommon in children, but for it to present in a baby under a year old was rare. Those first few days were overwhelming, filled with tests, consultations, and life-altering decisions. BC Children’s Hospital became our second home for five long months while Beckett underwent intensive inpatient treatment. Instead of playdates and park visits, we spent our days pacing the oncology floor, trying to keep some sense of normalcy in a world that had turned upside down.

What followed were 18 months of outpatient maintenance chemotherapy - a long journey of appointments, blood draws, and constant monitoring. Life was stressful, chaotic, and unpredictable. But through it all, Beckett remained our strong, resilient, sweet boy, his bright smile lighting up even the hardest days.

His cancer diagnosis changed our family forever. The challenges we faced brought us closer, gave us perspective we never imagined we’d need, and deepened our appreciation for our friends, family, and the incredible community that supported us. We are endlessly grateful to everyone who cared for Beckett, and we feel a powerful motivation to give back to the community that supported us through this journey.

Thanks to continued research and evolving treatment protocols, Beckett is thriving today. He just finished first grade, and his days are now filled with hockey sticks, cheeseburgers, and laughter. Watching him grow and embrace life is the greatest joy and a beautiful reminder of just how far he’s come.