Aspiring oncologist inspired by his care team at Asante

On a recent tour of Asante Rogue Regional’s new building, former pediatric cancer patient Cameron Caldwell, 23, stopped at the large windows that make up the west wall of the sixth-floor lobby.

“Wow, this is an impressive view,” he said. “Overlooking all of Medford. It’s good for the kids to have. They’re going through enough already.”

Touring the pavilion was a study in contrasts for Cameron, who recalled the seven months he spent in and out of Asante Rogue Regional while battling osteosarcoma in 2019.

“I think the light is the biggest, biggest thing for me, because I just remember how dark it was,” he said. “I just can’t get over how much more bright it is.”

A cross-country runner and basketball player in high school, Cameron’s left leg began to give him trouble his senior year. Tests revealed a cancerous tumor on his knee that required both surgery and chemotherapy. Thanks to pediatric oncologist Ellen Plummer, MD, Cameron could receive his treatments just an hour and a half away from his Klamath Falls home.

“When Dr. Plummer would walk in a room, I just felt safe,” Cameron said, adding she always had a positive attitude and took the time to explain how chemo worked and what the adverse reactions might be. “I was just blown away with how interesting it was. I was very intrigued.”

During appointments, staff would ask Cameron to share his story with kids who’d just gotten diagnosed to help them through it.

“It was an amazing feeling, noticing how much those kids kind of just changed their mood. Although I couldn’t take the cancer away, I could help them forget about it for a bit. And by doing that, it helped me forget about it, too.

“And that kind of got the ball rolling. And now, now I’m full in.”

After ringing the bell during his last treatment in June 2019, Cameron went on to graduate from the Oregon Institute of Technology and is now applying to medical schools and hopes to become an oncologist. He has three interviews with schools this fall. He currently is an adjunct professor at OIT, teaching biology and working with anatomy labs.

Cameron shared his story with the Asante Foundation, helping raise $1.7 million toward the new Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital on the top two floors of the pavilion. He continued to volunteer with the Foundation even during his busy schedule at OIT.

“Cameron was willing to help because he wanted to turn his struggle into something that could better the lives of others,” said Christian Gold Stagg, Senior Director of Development for the Foundation. “And he did.”

Watch this video to learn more about Cameron and his life-changing time at Asante.