Cameron Rider '25 Comes Back from Cancer One Day at a Time
Dreams of playing college hockey are real for Cameron Rider. The Mendon, Vermont native talks convincingly of following any path necessary to skate alongside some of the best amateur hockey players in the country. He will mention that, when he’s eventually told organized competitive hockey is over, he wants to be a surgical oncologist; but, to him, that’s not anytime soon. Whether it’s with a strong finish to his Bridgton Academy career or pursuing a couple of seasons of Junior hockey, Cam is fully committed to playing hockey in college. When one considers where his life journey has taken Cam already, betting in his favor is likely a strong course of action.
On May 19, 2023, Cameron Rider had 60% of his left lung removed. A common cold that became pneumonia in the fall of 2022 had forced months of doctor’s appointments and medications, eventually prompting a bronchoscopy and the removal of an identified mass on his lung. A biopsy of that mass was quickly diagnosed as mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Cancer. A shocking reality that crashed into Cam’s life and that of his family.
The successful surgery to remove the cancer put Cam on the sidelines for two and a half months. As he began recovery, Cam quickly realized he had to put in twice as much work to get even half of the expected level of performance from his body. “I was working out and doing a crazy amount of cardio to keep up lung capacity,” shared Rider. “It was a tough senior year getting used to having only one lung at full capacity.” Undeterred, and fighting off the pain of ribs still healing from surgery, Rider played soccer, basketball, and hockey for Rutland High School; moreover, he kept his eyes on the prize of college hockey.
After working with the school to rectify his academic standing, Rider searched for a place to put his dream into action. He knew he needed a school that would allow him the opportunity to recover the time lost, both academically and athletically. As happens often, the Bridgton Academy network went into action and one day in Rutland, Mrs. Kim Rider happened to run into Mrs. Suzanne Aquistapace (son, Zach ’08), who glowingly referred her to Bridgton Academy. “We took a tour, I practiced with the hockey team, and I loved the layout and structure of the educational program,” said Rider. In the midst of the struggle of healing and rehab, Cam found hope in Bridgton Academy. Like thousands before him, Cam had a challenge in front of him and Bridgton was the vehicle he was going to use to overcome it.
Upon arriving in North Bridgton this past fall, Cam’s mission was clear: get back to where he could compete at his highest level. “It’s about getting back to where I was before,” shared Rider. “My mindset is ‘If I can, I will.’” He quickly found himself putting in more effort than he thought possible and feeling genuine progress and success that he hadn’t felt before. As the days close on his first semester at Bridgton, Cam knows he made the right choice. “Class by class, day by day, I am having my best year in school ever,” he admits. His grades are higher than ever, he has improved his skills and awareness on the ice, and his physical performance is ahead of schedule. Rider notes, “Coach Desmond (Hockey) and Coach West (Strength and Conditioning) have me beyond where I thought I’d be.”
This growth and improvement have Cam considering a year or two in junior hockey before he gets on a college campus to play hockey and study to become a surgical oncologist. The motivation to persevere is all around him. Cancer has a place in his life, but it doesn’t define him—and Cam is winning the battle. “I get checked every six months,” he shared. “So far, it’s all good.” His attention to the topic of cancer in conversation is minimal. Rider quickly shifts back to things in his control—his effort in the classroom and on the ice. Cam’s commitment, perseverance, and empathy even show in his jersey number. “I wear #23 in honor of Michael Schillinger,” he notes. Schillinger is his former Rutland teammate that experienced a significant neck and back injury that does not allow him to play hockey anymore. Despite his own adversity, Cam feels incredibly fortunate and appreciates that he still gets to play the game he loves; and, maybe with continued hard work and good fortune, his dream will come true and he will soon get to do so in college. Here at the Academy, we certainly believe that this young man will find success at whatever dream he puts his mind to.
