Described by his friends as fun, friendly and encouraging, 14-year-old Cole Eicher has been through a lot more than most children his age.

After receiving a diagnosis of medulloblastoma, a brain tumour located in the lower, rear portion of the brain, Cole endured surgery to remove the tumour and endured several months of chemotherapy.

Now, having completed his treatment, he visits Bermuda to celebrate his birthday and being cancer-free. He tells us about his work to support other paediatric cancer patients.

After his own experience with cancer, Cole wants to make a difference by raising awareness and funding for childhood cancer.

He and his family support the Go Gold initiative, which raises awareness for childhood cancer and is supported by local schools and businesses in the Tampa, Florida area, where Cole lives.

Cole also participates in Relay for Life, giving survivor talks, and works closely with the American Cancer Society. When asked what motivates him, he says it is “the kids who have cancer that can’t speak for themselves, so I speak on behalf of them”.

While being treated at All Children’s Hospital in Florida, Cole noticed that there was not much for teenagers like him to do during their visit. His advice for kids his age is “if there is a problem, stand up and do something and if you’re going to do something, do it right”.

He took his own advice and raised funds for a teen lounge on the floor he spent his time in at the hospital.

He said: “it would be a nice thing to have, where teenagers can hang out on their own floor during their stay in the hospital.”

He is a truly inspirational young man and hopes to return to Bermuda in the future to participate in Bermuda’s Relay for Life.