Community Goes #CamilleStrong to Support Dublin Teen Fighting Cancer

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

“Please leave the room, your daughter is now radioactive.”

Those are harrowing words one Dublin mom never thought she would hear in her lifetime. Kerrie Chabot talks to Patch about her daughter’s battle against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and how the community has come together to show support for the 19-year-old.

Camille Chabot, a 2013 Dublin High graduate and former Young Citizen of the Year, found out that she had stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after a routine trip to the gynecologist’s office. Camille, the oldest of three girls and sophomore at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, plans to fight and anyone in the Dublin community will tell you she is up for the task because she is #CamilleStrong.

Just A Regular Checkup

“Following a routine trip to gyno before starting college, we discovered a tiny nodule and [the doctor] said we should keep an eye on it,” Chabot said. A few weeks later, she took Camille to the thyroid specialist. Nine months later, after several inconclusive biopsies, she was diagnosed.

The doctors prescribed Camille 12 rounds of chemotherapy over the course of six months.

Chabot says Camille’s first thoughts after being diagnosed were whether or not she would have to drop out of school, if she would be bald and if chemotherapy always works.

“I had a gut feeling ... but I was devastated to learn she would need 6 months of chemotherapy— and then to be told it was stage 4 ... I went into full survival mode ... researching, suggesting, callings, interviewing specialists, etc.,” Chabot said.

According to Chabot, Camille has endured five chemotherapy treatments so far and her daughter’s prognosis is good.

“However with stage 4 it has a better chance of returning, which means radiation or chemo again in future,” Chabot said.

#CamilleStrong

Once Camille was diagnosed, a movement began in the Chabot household. It quickly spread throughout the tight-knit community and soon the #CamilleStrong rally cry could be heard all over Dublin.

“My mom asked my friends and me one evening when we were all hanging out in my room with my new kitten,” Chabot said. “She wanted to make t-shirts for us, and decided on #TeamCamille ... but coincidentally, that same day, the LiveStrong foundation had contacted me and included their famous yellow wristband and a letter of support. So my mom asked changed it to #CamilleStrong after we took a vote. Then she asked her friends and mine to post the hashtag whenever they wore my shirt --over social media. It was our good friend and neighbor, John Rodriguez, who started the “#CamilleStrong kit”, meaning each person on a team or in a community will hold up a letter of the hashtag and take a photo to post. There have even been videos out there! I’ve received posts from Fiji, Paris, New York, Rio de Janeiro, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South America and more! It’s the main thing that has helped me get through these difficult times. It’s definitely lifted my spirits and has kept me #strong.”

Since the summer, hundreds of photos from all over the community have been posted on social media using the #CamilleStrong hashtag.

The Chabot Family is Grateful

Chabot, a school teacher in Fremont, says Camille and her family are thankful for the outpouring of support.

Camille said, “Thank you for everything! Keep posting. I look at every post. I especially like the #CamilleStrong posts from vacation. I know that my success in combating cancer will be due to each and everyone of you.”

How You Can Help

The Dublin community, as it always has in the past, has risen to the occasion and is rallying to support Camille and her family by orchestrating a meal train and scheduling fundraisers.

To celebrate her halfway mark through treatment, a fundraiser for the Camille Strong Foundation will be held at Vito’s Express Pizza this Friday between 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Those attending are asked to wear purple. Meredith and the Mercenaries will be performing and there will be a raffle at the event. Vito’s is located at 4060 Grafton Street in Dublin. Click here for more information.

Chabot says Camille was planning on spending her junior year of college abroad and recently learned she will not be able to go because of the cancer.

“The sad part is that we just learned is she had to give up her junior year abroad in Paris because of doctor appointments and so she catch up on classes,” Chabot said. “Hopefully some of donations could go to letting her do a one month program this summer instead of full year.”

Those interested in ordering a #CamilleStrong shirt, wristband or scarf can email camillestrongfoundation@gmail.com. To take part in the meal train, email laurachalker@gmail.com.

Plan to visit the Chabot family at home? Don’t forget to sign their wall to show your support and be a part of the #CamilleStrong movement.

See any familiar faces in these photos? Did we miss your #CamilleStrong photo? Share it by posting it in the comment section below. Post your words of encouragement for Camille.