Camille C. Wahl left this physical earth in the early morning of August 24, 2025, after over a 12-year battle with metastatic osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. With her death at the age of 22, Camille leaves a legacy of courage, grit, resilience, compassion, and advocacy and a huge void in the lives of her mother, Colleen Pearson of Melrose, sister Elektra Handren Sperling and husband Matt Sperling of Melrose, sister Anastacia Wahl of Boston, niece Hypatia Handren Sperling of Melrose, godmother Helayne Ramirez of Sharon, cats Newman and Freya, and many cousins of the United States and Ireland.

Camille accomplished and endured more in her short life than most and served as an inspiration to all those who knew and loved her. Despite numerous cancer relapses over the past 12 years, she was determined to live life to its fullest, knowing her time on earth would be shortened.

Camille graduated from the Melrose High School Class of 2021 and attended Boston University. Camille described her time at Boston University as one of the happiest times of her life. While there, she was awarded the highest tier of the Ruth Cheatham Foundation Scholarship for cancer patients and survivors to support her educational goals. She aspired to work with children and adults with complex medical needs and medical trauma. She was awarded a Certificate of Academic Achievement from Boston University in recognition of her progress towards completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. In addition, she was awarded the Boston University Distinguished Young Alumni Award in recognition of her courage and character in the face of adversity.

Prior to her diagnosis, she danced competitively with the O'Shea-Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance, to which she credited her discipline and love of the arts. When the tumor in her leg was removed and she could no longer dance, she turned to other pursuits in the arts. While undergoing chemotherapy at Boston Children's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, she taught herself Duct tape art, fashioning colorful and durable wallets, bracelets, and flowers for anyone on the oncology floor. Her artistic talents were innumerable. She learned to crochet, developed a keen eye for graphic design, and later started her successful Etsy store, "Camille's Own", where she sold her custom-designed stickers, jewelry, and décor, donating part of the proceeds to missions she supported. She also used her talents to create logos for childhood cancer campaigns and events to raise awareness and funds.

In middle school, she began auditioning for school musicals, where she nurtured her other exceptional talents of singing and acting. It is impossible to convey the beauty of Camille's voice, which would make rooms go quiet and pull all eyes in her direction. Her theater credits include "She Loves Me!" with BU on Broadway; "Sweeney Todd" (Johanna); "Frozen" (Anna); "Cinderella" (Fairy Godmother); "Oklahoma!" (Aunt Eller); "James and the Giant Peach" (Spiker); and "Shrek" (Dragon). She also coached young actors as an assistant director with Backyard Youth Theatre (Arlington, MA). Off stage, Camille was hilarious and could make anyone laugh with her one-of-a-kind wittiness.

Most of all, Camille was committed to making things better for others, especially fellow pediatric and AYA cancer patients. She was a fierce voice for this cause, advocating for pediatric cancer research, supporting organizations that aligned with her mission, and coming up with innovative ways to create comfort and community for others navigating the challenges of life with cancer.

Camille served as president of the Junior Advisory Board of MIB Agents, a leading pediatric osteosarcoma nonprofit. In this role, she created the osTEAo podcast, where she "spilled the tea" on all things osteosarcoma and AYA cancer. Camille shared her story with a panel of scientists and physicians at the NIH and was featured on ABC News, WBZ News, NECN, and Cure Magazine. She was a spokesperson for Family Reach, speaking at numerous large-scale events, and in 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Ming Tsai Leave Your Mark Award for her lifelong advocacy. Her last speech was delivered to a room of tear-filled eyes and ended with a standing ovation.

In her final days, Camille continued this mission, creating care packages for other teen and young adult cancer patients at Boston Children's Hospital. These packages were finished and readied for distribution, just one small way that Camille's mission and impact will live on forever.

We invite all whose lives were touched by Camille to honor her love and life on Saturday, September 6th, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster Street, Melrose, MA. We request that per Camille's wishes, attendees wear her favorite colors: green, purple, brown or white. Please no black. The burial will be private at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose, MA.

Donations of stuffed animals and self-care items in honor of Camille C. Wahl may be made to the Boston Children's Hospital Inpatient Hematology/Oncology Child Life Service at the September 6th memorial.

Donations received through Camille's GoFundMe campaign will help the family make this event and future initiatives in Camille's honor possible: https://gofund.me/f9380c72

Thank you to Dr. Melissa Burns and the nurses of Boston Children's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for all you have done for Camille and our family over all these years.