The long-lasting memory of Amara Campbell has created a ripple effect that has touched the Swan Valley and created a movement to help fight cancer. The creation of Amara’s Amigos, a group of dedicated volunteers who help raise funds in the fight against cancer, was formed five years ago and has grown in many ways.
“The creation of the first Amara’s Amigos group was a very special symbol of support for Amara, Joel, Blair and me,” said Amara’s mother Lee-Anne Campbell. “Amara was a quiet, 13-year-old, who preferred not to have much attention on herself. Her cancer diagnosis took away her ability to blend in with the crowd.
“Our son Joel was 15 years old at the time. His sister’s cancer diagnosis was very tough on him as well. The shirts, events, and donations gave Amara a place to find comfort in her new identity. Also, a new type of identity for our family, I suppose. The love and support that continues to be shown for Amara’s Amigos is humbling and heart-warming for all of us.
“The Amara’s Amigos group, name and first shirts were created by Amara’s Minitonas school friends and teachers in 2019, following her cancer diagnosis,” said Campbell. “This first amazing team supported Amara by participating in the 2019 Swan River Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life. The team name and colours were perfect, so it has remained.
“We decided to continue to raise awareness about childhood cancer and fundraise in memory of Amara. The first Amara’s Amigos Garage Sale was a success, so it has continued as an annual event. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, as well as the month in which Amara passed away, so it has been meaningful to host the garage sale during that month.
“Then, in 2021, I approached the Stampeders to support Cameron Coulthart, a local 17-year-old boy who was fighting cancer,” said Campbell. “Cameron had spent some time with the team earlier that season before he had a big surgery. We did a small event collecting money for him, shared a brief update on his cancer, and his sister dropped the puck. In the 2023/24 season, was the first year that we bought Hockey Fights Cancer team jerseys. This event has just completed its third year.”
Over the years, Amara’s Amigos has raised money for the fight against cancer in many ways. It sparked a much bigger movement in the Valley, with more people and organizations getting involved by creating new fundraisers and helping the existing ones to raise more money than in years prior.
“The money collected from the garage sales, Ride Inside events, lemonade stand, cookie sales and the Hockey Fights Cancer event with the Swan Valley Stampeders is entirely donated to the CancerCare MB Foundation (CCMB), PROFYLE Program,” said Campbell. “The name stands for PRecision Oncology For Young peopLE, those living with rare and hard-to-treat cancers. The program provides genetic testing for these kids, searching for alternative treatment options. Amara’s oncologists were able to access PROFYLE for her treatment plan. She was able to take some additional oral chemotherapy that we think allowed her more months of life.
“Amara’s Amigos have also participated in the annual Swan River Terry Fox Runs since 2019.
“The newest fundraising event started in 2024, the annual Minitonas School Memorial Lunch Fundraiser for PAC improvements for their school,” said Campbell. “This event is in memory of both Amara and Joel.
“Our core group of Amara’s Amigos has remained pretty similar in size. These family members and friends continue to jump into action to assist Blair and me with the events. However, we also recognize our much wider group of Amara’s Amigos as every person and business that has supported us. It’s very special to continue seeing more purple shirts/hoodies, with the addition of a blue heart for Joel, around town, as we partnered with the Stampeders hockey team in 2023.”
At this past Amara’s Amigos Garage Sale Fundraiser, the group not only received a lot of donations to put towards the sale, but also raised slightly more in funds than the year prior.
“A total of $5,810 was raised at the 2025 garage sale,” said Campbell. “A bit higher than last year. The garage sales have been successful in various ways. We have provided a venue for our items to be repurposed by others, offering an opportunity for a wider variety of people to contribute to our fundraising, even if it was only an extra $2 they could afford. Each year, I have been pleasantly surprised at how many people stop in at the garage sale simply to drop off their annual donation cheque for CCMB. It has also developed into an opportunity to connect with community members who still support us as we live in grief.”
The total funds raised from the Hockey Fights Cancer event have not been totalled yet; however, the money raised from both this event and the garage sale will be presented to CCMBF at the Winnipeg Jets HFC game on November 23.
“The community support from the Swan River Valley has amazed us since 2019, right from the time of Amara’s cancer diagnosis,” said Campbell. “Blair and I have been humbled by the outpouring of support.