Meet Easton Adams, the 4-year-old fighting cancer superhero-style

Easton was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in early 2023, when he was just three years old. Since then, Adams says Easton’s love of superheroes has gotten him through near-daily trips to CHEO for chemo treatment over the past 10 months.

Published Dec 31, 2023 • 2 minute read

Belle and Spider-Man made an appearance at the Boston Pizza in Orléans Sunday, Dec. 31 2023, while they were hosting their children’s New Years Eve bash. Four-year-old Easton Adams was so excited to see Spider-Man and give him one of his team shirts. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

Not everybody is on a first-name basis with Spiderman — but Easton Adams is far from your average kid.

The four-year-old has become something of a celebrity among Ottawa’s superheroes after fighting childhood cancer for the past year. On Sunday, he presented Spiderman with his very own custom t-shirt at a Kids New Year’s Eve Royal Ball, which featured princesses, superheroes, and a 4:45 p.m. balloon drop to ring in 2024.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Article content

The t-shirt logo shows Easton wearing a Superman cape, The Incredible Hulk’s fist and Captain America’s mask, while shooting a Spiderman web.

“That’s like his mantra,” his mother Kate Adams says. “He’s the ultimate superhero.”

Four-year-old Easton Adams was so excited to see Spider-Man. Adams is battling B Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia and his mother said super heroes have really helped get him through the journey. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

From his bedding, to his clothes, to his toys, there’s hardly a part of Easton’s life that doesn’t feature superheroes. He’s met many of Ottawa’s superheroes over the past year, too.

Four-year-old Easton Adams and Belle. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

“When he was diagnosed, we had a really, really good support system,” Adams says. “Everyone knows he loves superheroes, so we were just getting presents dropped off, always. And all the local superheroes know his name.”

Sunday’s event also marked a turning point in Easton’s treatment, too. A few weeks ago, he moved on to the “maintenance” phase of chemo, meaning his hair is growing back, his energy levels are higher, and his immune system is stronger. Adams and her young family had to live in a “bubble” for much of the year, as chemo attacks both cancer cells and infection-fighting white blood cells, leaving Easton more vulnerable to other illnesses.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Spider-Man and four-year-old Easton Adams. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

But now, luckily, he’s in the “maintenance” phase of treatment, taking a low doses of chemotherapy drugs to keep the disease at bay. After a year of intensive treatment, “it’s nice to be back in the community again,” Adams says, as Easton is “doing really well” and will be starting school in the spring. He’ll be officially declared “cured” after five cancer-free years.

Adams has high praises for the nurses and staff at CHEO. Easton has also been tapped to be the official ambassador for the hospital’s annual Snow Angels fundraiser, which raises money for childhood cancer research.

If there is a silver lining to be found in a children’s cancer diagnosis, the Adams family might find it. Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a common type of children’s cancer, Adams says, and the odds are in Easton’s favour, with the disease having a nearly 90 per cent cure rate.

Plus, “Spiderman knows my name!”

Belle and Spider-Man made an appearance at the Boston Pizza in Orléans Sunday, Dec. 31 2023, while they were hosting their children’s New Years Eve bash. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA OTTAWA: Belle and Spider-Man made an appearance at the Boston Pizza in Orléans Sunday, Dec. 31 2023, while they were hosting their children’s New Years Eve bash. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA