I wish to have a horse
Ben, 16
cancer
Ben is a quiet and grounded 16-year-old with a love for the outdoors. Whether he’s working around the farm or riding horses, Ben feels most at home in nature. He enjoys being around people but is never the loudest in the room. He’s down-to-earth and already thinking about a future that involves farming — a path that aligns perfectly with his rural lifestyle and strong work ethic.
His cancer journey began shortly after a family trip in the fall of 2023. Ben noticed swollen lymph nodes and pointed them out to his parents, Scott and Lyn. When the swelling didn’t subside, the family visited the emergency department nearest to their home. Within weeks, Ben underwent a biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis: a rare and aggressive cancer. Ben was sent 400 kilometres away to the nearest children’s hospital to begin treatment. “Our whole family travelled there to be with Ben, it was important we went through this together,” recalled Scott.
A plan was quickly put in place: 43 weeks of treatment, including 10 weeks of radiation in Florida and months of chemotherapy. It was a long and intense period, made more complex by the demands of managing a large household with seven boys while supporting Ben through treatment. “Ben’s been steady throughout, and he responded well,” said Scott. “It was a grind for sure, but our faith, our community and even people we didn’t know came alongside us and helped carry us through.”
For Ben, learning he would receive a wish was a bright spot during a difficult time. His choice to wish for a horse was inspired by his best friend, who trained a horse last year while Ben was undergoing treatment. “Even though Ben couldn’t take that on while he was sick, it meant a lot to him that he could get Gen, his horse, and work on that together now,” said Scott. “It helps him feel like he’s catching up and not being left behind.”
Receiving a wish, Scott said, was like hitting reset. “It’s been a really positive transition — a chance to move forward.” Ben’s advice to other kids waiting for their wishes: “Be patient and try to live in the moment.”
