Fighting for Our Son’s Life and Future

Our world was turned upside down when our newborn son nearly died in our arms — just minutes after coming home from the hospital. He had been discharged with no known health concerns. But suddenly, he became limp, unresponsive, and stopped breathing. In that terrifying moment, his dad performed CPR while we waited for the ambulance, doing everything possible to keep him alive.

At the hospital, we were given devastating news: our son was born without a pituitary gland — a condition so rare it affects fewer than 1 in 500,000 babies. Most doctors may never see a case in their careers. This condition, called pituitary agenesis, led to a diagnosis of panhypopituitarism. The pituitary is the master gland in our brain which controls all the hormones that regulate the body’s ability to grow, process stress, regulate temperature, metabolism, sugar levels, thyroid functions and so much more!

He is now COMPLETELY dependent on:

• Daily hormone replacement medications 6 times a day

• Emergency steroid injections if he becomes sick, injured, or stressed

• Lifelong monitoring, blood tests, and hospital care

Without these hormones, any illness — even a fever or stomach bug — can send him into another adrenal crisis, which can be fatal without immediate treatment.

We’re doing everything we can to keep him safe and stable, but this condition affects every part of his life — and ours. He will face lifelong health complications that will impact his ability to attend school, work, grow, and live independently.

We are asking for help with:

• Emergency medications and supplies not covered by OHIP

• Ongoing specialist care and medical travel

• Time off work to manage his care and recovery

• The financial toll of hospital stays, equipment, and hormone therapy

Despite everything, our little boy is a fighter. His strength amazes us, and we are beyond grateful he survived. But we know the road ahead will be long and filled with challenges.

If you are able to contribute or share this page, please know it means the world to us. Your support gives us the chance to give our son the safest, fullest life possible — one filled with love, care, and hope.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

— Isabella and Austin (Mom and Dad)