Update from Ethan's Family

I was recently informed that my family will be awarded your quarterly donation to a family in need. I cannot tell you how much we appreciate this incredibly generous gift. When my family was given the terrible news of our son's diagnosis, a lot of things ran through our minds. One of the thoughts is how can we properly look after him while still meeting our financial commitments. This generosity really helps lighten that burden and alleviate some of stress while looking after a sick child.

So far Ethan’s treatment has been going pretty well. He’s into the second phase of induction in his treatment protocol. Every couple of weeks he has a lumbar puncture (LP) to test his bone marrow. The last 2 LP’s have been cancer free and

the genetic mutation that made him high risk was no longer detectable. This is great progress, and means the treatment is working.

Unfortunately with the good there is bad. Ethan passed a kidney stone caused by the chemo drugs 2 weeks ago, causing significant pain and bleeding. And we’ve had to briefly pause treatment due to his blood counts being so depleted. We know that there will be hiccups and the process is unpredictable.

However, his counts are now back up and we’re working to finish the second phase of the induction. At the end of this phase another lumbar puncture will be performed to see how Ethan has progressed and to see how treatment will look like for the next 6 months. We’re still at the beginning of a journey that will take over 2 years, but so far so good.

Again I would like to thank your organization for selecting us, I think it’s incredible work that you’re doing for families in need, and it means the world to my family.



Sincerely,

Kevin, Kayleigh, Ethan & Zoey Kennedy

Ethan's Nomination Story

Imagine just a few months ago, a newborn baby girl joined your family making it complete. However, through a series of unpredictable events, their worst fear began to unfold. This is their story.

I would like to introduce you to the Kennedy Family - Kevin, Kayleigh, Ethan (2 yrs), and Zoe (7 mos). Kevin has been a paramedic for the Region of Peel for over 8 years. Kayleigh is a loving mother who recently took on a BFS (Business For Self) role to be able to look after their newborn while continuing to be a pillar of financial support. Ethan is their toddler who loves all things cars/trucks. Baby Zoe, the newest addition to the Kennedy's, is nothing less than a bundle of hope and joy.

Their story began in March 2022 when the entire family caught COVID. While most family members had mild symptoms and recovered quickly, their son Ethan remained constantly plagued by fevers and nasal congestion. Fast forward to August 2022, when they attended their first BBQ as a family of 4, they were advised by a family member that their son Ethan seemed more tired than usual and he looked very jaundice (“yellow tone to skin”).

Leaving the BBQ, Kevin and Kayleigh couldn't shake their feeling of concern, so they took Ethan to the McMasters Hospital for Children. After hours of testing and waiting, the result came back as every parent's worst nightmare. Ethan was diagnosed with Leukemia, a cancer of the blood. Ethan was put on an aggressive Chemotherapy program and began blood transfusions. The preliminary diagnosis was that he would only require treatment for one month. The family scrambled to organize their daily affairs while attending to a newborn and sick toddler. They were fortunate to be placed into Ronald McDonald House as they lived 1.5 hour away from the children's hospital.

Ethan was not responding as expected during his month-long treatment for cancer. Further testing revealed that Ethan had a genetic abnormality which would worsen the effects of his Leukemia. Doctors extended his treatment plan to 7 months of intense chemo (3x per week) followed by approximately 2 years of supportive chemo all at the McMasters Hospital. His parents were advised that if this did not work, their final option would be a bone marrow transplant.

After hearing their story and how it has unfolded this year, I know it is without question that the Kennedy family would be a wonderful candidate for this charity. The funds from “Brokers Who Care” will help them alleviate the associated financial stress and will help ensure that adequate help is available 24 hours a day to support Ethan. More importantly, the funds will be a token of positivity for the Kennedy's, adding value to the precious time they have with Ethan, and uplifting their energy needed to support Ethan on this difficult journey.

"E is for Ethan". This is the chant we will say for the little warrior battling Leukemia. Ethan is currently starting his 2.5 years extensive treatment to battle cancer. While Ethan remains in high spirits, this additional financial help for the Kennedy Family will ensure Ethan gets the best care possible and create more memorable moments for the family.