"It was such an honor that he let me skate for him." – 11-year-old skater Winnabel Campbell
Winnabel Campbell was unusually anxious as she stepped onto the ice. The 11-year-old from Spanish Fork generally feels at home at the rink. In fact, her favorite color is light blue because it reminds her of ice. And she isn't a stranger to public performances. She has participated in five competitions and many recitals, but this performance was different. She was skating for someone other than herself: her paternal grandpa, Aaron Campbell, who is battling cancer.
And she wasn't skating to just any song. "Bring on Tomorrow" was written and recorded by her grandpa.
Winnabel performed her special routine at the Peaks Ice Arena in Provo on March 20 for the third annual Skate for Cancer benefit show, which raises money for cancer patients and their families.
"I loved skating for him," Winnabel said. "It was such an honor that he let me skate for him. It was just a dream come true when I saw how happy he was when I showed the video to him."
Aaron Campbell, who has been diagnosed with three different types of cancer since 2009, was unable to attend the performance but enjoyed watching the video recording. He said he was honored that she would skate to his song.
"I was really happy about it," the grandfather said. "I was really surprised she wanted to use it in the first place, but to see her skate to it, I felt it was a pretty good choice for her."
Brianna Hatch, Winnabel's coach, said that in the two years Winnabel has been skating, she has shown great promise.
"She has surprised me with how hard she has worked and how much determination she has to go far in the sport," Hatch said. "It’s been a thrill to teach her, and I’m so lucky I get to coach her through this experience of hers."
As a teenager, Hatch participated in annual Skate for Cancer events at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Ice Show in New York from 2005 to 2007. Those events inspired her to start a Skate for Cancer show in 2012 to support Utah families affected by cancer.
"It provided an opportunity for these skaters to compete for something other than themselves," Hatch said. "It’s so cool to win a medal and win a competition, but serving others, giving back and just doing it for the love of the sport, that’s where the true joy comes in. That’s what I wanted to give my skaters."
The parents and fans have appreciated the event as well. Winnabel's dad, Don Campbell, said it was a blessing to see his daughter skate to a song written and sung by his ill father.
"It really meant a lot," Don Campbell said. "I was actually glad that somebody else was recording it because it was pretty emotional watching it."
He said the song has been played at many family parties and reunions and has provided comfort in the midst of trials.
"It’s actually been really medicinal for our family," he said.
The Campbell family has had its fair share of tough times. Winnabel's parents tried for nearly 10 years to bring a child into their lives. After in vitro fertilization procedures failed, they pursued adoption.
On Father's Day in 2003, after years of trying and waiting, the Campbells' caseworker called to say the couple had been selected to adopt a baby girl.
"She said, ‘The first thing I want to say is Happy Father’s Day to Don,’ ” said Rae Campbell, Winnabel's mother. "And I just started bawling."
The new parents drove their baby girl home, stopping along the way at friends' houses to pick up baby clothes and supplies because the good news had come unexpected.
The Campbells named their daughter Winnabel in honor of Rae Campbell's mother and grandmother.
"She’s just our blessing, and it’s amazing," Rae Campbell said. "She surpasses her name. She’s strong-willed, but she has the kindest heart and determination."
Winnabel holds a special place in her grandpa's heart, and he is equally important to the Campbells.
As the family waits to learn more about Aaron Campbell's treatment options, they plan to spend as much time as possible with the St. George resident.
"He’s a quiet guy," Don Campbell said. "I’m a lot like him. He doesn’t say a lot of stuff, but he speaks volumes just by how he acts and by his example."
The family lovingly joked about the grandpa and pointed out that his hair always seems to be styled, even when he first wakes up in the morning.
"It’s always combed perfect," Rae Campbell said. "In 20 years, I have never seen Grandpa’s hair look bad."
Winnabel enjoys watching Disney movies and playing games with her grandpa.
Aaron Campbell said he appreciates that every time he sees her, she runs to give him a hug.
"I’m a lucky grandpa," he said.
Winnabel is grateful for her grandfather's example and is happy she could express her love through skating.
"I’m just really glad I got to skate for my grandpa, and I’m just really happy he liked it," Winnabel said. "I was trying really hard for him to approve of it and like it."