Brave L'il Archer's Radiation Treatment

Hello everyone,

We are asking for help for our cousin, Jonathan, and his wife, Victoria, as they travel to Cincinatti, U.S. for 7 weeks for a special radiation treatment not offered in Canada for their 1.5 year old son's cancer treatment.

This past year and a half has brought significant changes for Jonathan and Victoria. In February 2021, they were blessed by the arrival of their second son, Archer. Archer was expected in April 2021 but arrived quite a few weeks early in February. Archer spent considerable time in the NICU as doctors were conducting extensive tests. These tests ultimately revealed that Archer was born extra-special. He was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder called Costello Syndrome. There are many challenges with this condition which include heart issues, delayed development and intellectual disabilities. Archer is a fighter and has spent the majority of his young life taking medications, ng tube feeds, occupational therapy, visits to the pediatrician, dietician, early interventionist, cardiologist, neurosurgeon, nephrologist among others. This little trooper has had brain surgery at 5 months old and another surgery to insert a g-tube straight into his stomach at 7 months. These daunting experiences, hectic schedules, sleepless nights, exhausting days, hospital stays and medical complexities hasn't been easy for him and his family, but all of Archer's smiles and coos and seeing him pushing to meet his milestones such as holding his head up and reaching for objects have brought enormous blessing to Jonathan and Victoria and have revealed the meaning of true champ.

Archer turned one in February and with it a sense of a new normalcy; however, approximately a few months ago, Archer wasn't acting his usual self, seemed to be in pain, wasn't sleeping well, and his left eye started to look red and swollen. After advocating for further tests, Archer's parents were devastated when an emergency MRI revealed a cancerous tumour behind Archer's eye. It was growing so quickly that chemotherapy had to be started the very next day. The last two months have been filled with overwhelm from complications due to Archer's medical complexities, Sick Kids visits, several hospital admissions due to infections, and a couple of rounds of chemotherapy.

This diagnosis has been understandably overwhelming and heartbreaking for Jonathan and Victoria, but they are looking at the silver lining that Archer's diagnosis was caught early as well as the cancer considered as low risk.

Jonathan and Victoria have been amazingly strong and patient parents and they have displayed so much joy and thankfulness in the midst of these new circumstances, not to mention juggling daily life challenges of working, childcare, making time for their other son, Shepherd, and for themselves as a couple. Of course, Archer being born during Covid and all the restrictions that have come with the pandemic has added to the stress.

And now, more upheaval. Archer and his family will have to go to Cincinatti for Archer to have a special radiation treatment. Archer needs to go to the US for this specific type of treatment that is not offered in Canada. They will be going in early December and will be in the US for at least seven weeks which means they will be away during the holidays. Thankfully, the cost for the treatment will be covered but Jonathan and Victoria will have to cover the cost of everything else.

We're asking you to consider a donation in helping cover all-related expenses in order for Archer to receive this special radiation treatment. Jonathan and Victoria's love for their sons are limitless and they have been carrying this load mainly by themselves. As you can imagine, even without this unexpected and considerable expense, there are so many other costs associated with Archer's care. We would like to be able to alleviate some of the hardships by offering as much financial assistance to them as possible. We would also ask you all to keep Archer, Shepherd, Victoria and Jonathan in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!