On Sept. 12, 2013 my life changed. My son, Dominic, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

He underwent numerous rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and pretty much lived at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.

In December 2014 we got the news that his cancer had relapsed a second time and we were out of options. On Sept. 3, 2015, he died while in Orlando for a wish trip.

Early on our family recognized what a special place ACH is. From the building block-inspired architecture to the incredible team of nurses, doctors and support staff, we knew our one-year-old boy was in the best hands possible.

I soon began blogging about our experience at dominicstrong.com - his journey had so many twists and turns as to be unimaginable.

Thanks to a close friend of mine I was introduced to Extra Life and wound up raising more than $4,000 for the 2013 event. Between my page and the #Dominicstrong team we have now raised more than $300,000 in his name - and we're not going to stop.

I want to continue to give back to the place that has given my son a chance to live. So in 2025, I will participate in the Extra Life gaming marathon again.

Please consider supporting my efforts with a tax-deductible donation. Every penny you give here goes to the hospital, which supports not just kids in Calgary but those all over the country.

You never expect to need a children's hospital. I wish nobody did. But when you do, you're so glad it's there. I will be giving thanks for it the rest of my life.