Last October, Mavrik was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. The 2-year-old had been experiencing fatigue and had very little appetite—and then his parents noticed a small bump on his belly. They took him to their local doctor in Prince George, and when Mavrik’s scans came back, he was quickly medevacked straight to BC Children’s Hospital. Mavrik had a tumour inside him that was larger than his head.
The tumor wrapped around major arteries, his gallbladder and kidney, and was pressing against his spine. The situation felt dauntingly complex, but Mavrik rose to the challenge. He underwent seven rounds of chemo, two stem cell transplants, tumor reduction surgery and radiation therapy. So far, his tumour has shrunk by 98%.
Mavrik has now spent over 200 nights at BC Children’s, and recently began immunotherapy. But through it all, he’s never lost his spark. Mavrik is known on his medical unit as “the hockey kid,” often playing hallway hockey in his jersey—even during treatments. His love for the game has brought him unforgettable moments, from meeting NHL stars like Brock Boeser to doing the ceremonial puck drop at a WHL game. Time and again, Mavrik has found moments of joy, showing determination and resilience beyond his years.
“Nothing fazes him,” said Mavrik’s dad, Derek. “He just keeps going. And through the hardest moments, the care and kindness of staff at BC Children’s has made the hospital feel like a second home.”