Please help support my son’s friend, whom has been recently diagnosed with Leukemia. His parents, Maria and Andres, are immigrants to Canada from Colombia but now live in Wesbrook Village on UBC campus. They are self-employed (have no medical coverage) and need help to pay for medications for their son’s treatment.

Frankie also has a younger brother named Sebastian, who is three years old and loves to talk about Spiderman.

A bit about Francisco (we call him “Paco or Frankie”):


Francisco is 5 yrs old, he has always been a very active and social boy. He started playing rugby when he was 4, and it was the first sport he ever played. He had so much fun playing and seeing his friends at practice. Rugby was a big highlight for him that first season. In September he started Kindergarten, which he had been looking forward to for a while. He enjoyed the company of his classmates so much.

When asked what his favourite part of the day was, he would undoubtedly say "recess!!!". He had lots of fun playing with his friends on the school playground.

A few months back, he started saying he had some back pain. There were a couple of episodes that lasted about a week, when he could barely walk. The second time it happened, he also developed a lump on his neck, and so the family was referred to BC Children's Hospital, where after a couple of days he was diagnosed with Leukemia (B-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia). He started treatment about a month ago, which is planned to last at least 2 years and 3 months. He is a very strong boy and has been doing well with the treatment.

Of course, his parents will be doing everything they can to support him in this journey. This is where you can help as well! By donating, his parents will be able to provide the best possible treatment for his Leukemia. With your support, he will be able to keep enjoying recess with his friends.

Thank you for your consideration!

Maria, Dean and Will and the UBC women’s rugby team