Robert Chau

Robert Chau only a few years before his death (family photo album)

I only knew Robert Chau for a little while, but during that time, he was the one family member that I really looked up to. When he was diagnosed with cancer, I didn't really understand what was happening to him. A few years after he died, I was able to understand what had happened to him. It was during that time when I realized that he was someone great to look up to and he didn't have to be on TV every night or star in all the movies. I always looked up to Robert Chau as an older cousin, but I now can see that he was more than just that, he was a true hero.

During his battle with cancer, Robert kept very high spirits and a smile on his face. Even though he knew he wasn't well, he would keep a good attitude to assure others and himself that he would be fine. Robert was always in contact with his close and extended family and tried to keep up with his many activities.

Kits Beach, June 1995

When Robert was in his early teens, he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. We all were thinking, how could this happen to an ordinary teenage boy? Then everyone understood that it could happen to anyone. Even though Ewing's Sarcoma is very rare, it is most common in teenage boys, the peak range being from 10 years of age to 20. It mainly occurs in the pelvis, femur, humerus and the ribs. It involves trans location between chromosomes 11 and 22.

Robert did many activities throughout his life. He played a variety of sports and also had a very high academic record. Out of all the sports in which he participated in school and out of school, his favourite was skateboarding. On his more artistic side, he played the violin in a Vancouver symphony. Robert had a life that was very full of variety. He was always open to new ideas and wouldn't let good opportunities get away from him. Robert was able to balance his activities with his school life and always leave time to spend with his family at the end of the day.

Photo taken in 1987 (family photo album)

On September 5th, 1999, almost one year after he was diagnosed, he unfortunately lost his battle with cancer. He was only fifteen years old. In Vancouver, there is a park bench that was dedicated to him by his friends as a memorial of the mark that he left on each of them. He will always be remembered for his great sense of humor, kindness and optimism during his battle with cancer and throughout his entire life. As my older cousin, he will always be the one that I look up to for the good examples he set. Robert inspires me to not let new opportunities slip by, to keep a strong and positive attitude in tough situations and to leave your mark on others.