Our names are Susan and Pierre. Less than a year ago our lives changed unthinkably when our son Josiah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, an aggressive type of blood cancer. We were terrified.
Donor supported research and clinical trials have improved Josiah’s chances of survival.
After that, things moved quickly. Within hours, we were flown to a hospital in Ottawa. Further tests confirmed a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Over the next 24 hours, Josiah was given a blood transfusion and began chemotherapy.
We were overwhelmed. Far from home. Far from family. So, after a month in the hospital, we were transferred to Manitoba for Josiah’s continued cancer treatment and care. Here, Josiah could have vital treatments closer to home, closer to family and close enough for his three siblings to visit when possible. This meant everything to us.
Donor’s support of cancer research has helped ensure that CancerCare Manitoba is able to deliver the latest and most effective treatments available for kids like Josiah who have leukemia.
We are sharing Josiah’s story with you today as a powerful reminder of why your continued support is needed this holiday season.
It all began when Josiah was just two years old and we started to notice small changes. He would bruise easily and get tired quickly, often telling us that his legs were sore. Then, in January he became very tired and pale and had a lot of fevers. The pain in his legs was getting worse.
We knew something wasn’t right with our little boy.
On January 19th, Josiah’s fever was very high. We rushed him to the emergency room in Iqaluit, where we were living at the time. Bloodwork was done immediately. We waited and tried our best to stay calm.
Josiah’s blood test revealed shocking results – he had almost no white blood cells, the cells that help fight infection. The doctor sat down with us and explained–it was likely leukemia.
At that moment it felt like our hearts broke into a million pieces. We were stunned. We looked at each other, unable to speak.
After that, things moved quickly. Within hours, we were flown to a hospital in Ottawa. Further tests confirmed a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Over the next 24 hours, Josiah was given a blood transfusion and began chemotherapy.
We were overwhelmed. Far from home. Far from family. So, after a month in the hospital, we were transferred to Manitoba for Josiah’s continued cancer treatment and care. Here, Josiah could have vital treatments closer to home, closer to family and close enough for his three siblings to visit when possible. This meant everything to us.
Donor’s support of cancer research has helped ensure that CancerCare Manitoba is able to deliver the latest and most effective treatments available for kids like Josiah who have leukemia.
After our arrival at CancerCare Manitoba, Josiah continued chemotherapy treatments. We watched his little body fight so hard. His blood counts were carefully monitored, and slowly we saw signs of his strength improving. Over time he had enough energy to play in the playroom at CancerCare, and he began to make friends. Friends who also have cancer. Friends like him.
As we spent more and more time at CancerCare Manitoba, we came to understand better how donors make a difference for families like ours.
Thanks to donors, the vibrant and magical playroom has made our visits to CancerCare so much easier. Josiah loves his time there. In this room his experience is like that of any three-year-old boy playing with toys and friends. It’s wonderful to see him play and laugh with the other kids and to know we aren’t facing this disease alone.
We’ve had some bright moments and we appreciate every one of them. At the same time there are setbacks and most days continue to be hard–for us and for Josiah.
This past June, Josiah had a serious and horrible reaction to chemotherapy. His lips swelled, his eyes became puffy and red and his esophagus was inflamed. He was in intense pain and needed to spend another nine days in the hospital. We were extremely relieved when he was stable enough to return home to our family.
As you read this, Josiah is still undergoing chemotherapy. There’s a long road ahead, but with continued support, we’re looking forward to the day we can finally say he’s cancer-free.
Your gift today will help fund cancer research, clinical trials and programs that brighten long, hard days faced by sick children. But more than that, you give families like ours something we weren’t sure we’d get back: the chance to dream again. To imagine birthdays, school days, and a future where Josiah gets to grow up.
Please, give today. So that you can create hope for every parent who will hear the same heartbreaking words we did: “Your child has cancer.”
With deep gratitude,
Susan and Pierre