Gianpaolo vs Leukemia
Donation protected
Meet Gianpaolo Francesco Evangelisti, the most loveable and resilient little man we’ve ever met. He touches the lives of everyone he meets, imprinting on their hearts. Yet, GP has had to fight harder in his first 3 years than most people do in a lifetime, but this has not changed his joyful and affectionate disposition, nor has it changed the power he holds to influence those he meets to stop for a second and appreciate all the beauty we take for granted each day.
This is his story…
GP, affectionately known as our little Ironman, was born prematurely by emergency C-section and immediately rushed to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where he spent the first 2 1/2 months of his life in the NICU. As a child with Trisomy 21 (commonly known as Down Syndrome), GP has had several challenges to overcome, but with the support of a community that rallies behind him, he has shown tremendous growth and limitless potential. But, it is his amazing parents Luigi and Sabrina, that are the true heroes in this story. Their commitment to their son and their perseverance in the face of limited resources, has propelled them to create on their own environment for him to flourish.
Two weeks after a routine tonsillectomy to improve his severe sleep apnea, GP’s parents grew concerned over a low-grade fever that just wouldn't seem to budge. After several visits to their doctor with no real resolution, they decided that something just wasn't right and took their little boy once again to the Hospital for Sick Children. No one was prepared for the answer they received.
On February 18th, 2017, to the shock of family and friends, GP was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, something doctors believe he has had since birth, but has remained undetected (he tests every 6 months) as it was dormant. Treatment for the brave little ironman began immediately with chemotherapy, transfusions, spinal injections and many medications, as well as isolation. GP’s treatment is set to last a term of three years.
This is where we need you. To provide the necessary care for their son, Sabrina has had to stop working. Luigi is a fulltime student. GP’s battle with Leukemia affects every decision Lou and Sab make – and while treatment in hospital is covered and support programs exist, it simply isn’t enough. In 35 weeks, government support will run out, yet GP’s treatment will last another 2 years. In addition, as neither parent is insured, once he returns home, all dispensed medication and therapy will be out of pocket.
In discussing the support that they have already received, Sabrina has stressed “we are so blessed to have all the prayers and support around us, I just hope that other families that are going through this have the same. We want to be here for them too, our children are fighting together.”
It is now time for us to step up and support this beautiful family, to ease their burden and allow their focus to remain fully on GP’s fight and recovery. We are calling out to our friends, families, networks and communities to help us in supporting our little fighter by whatever means possible. We cannot stress enough that while monetary support is both needed and appreciated to cover medical costs, we would be blessed to be gifted complementary services as well.
Put on your gloves and fight this with us! Send him your best wishes, keep him in your prayers, and if you can, help us reach our goal of $30,000/services by supporting GP’s #gpvsleukemia campaign!
Our heartfelt and sincere thanks.
This is his story…
GP, affectionately known as our little Ironman, was born prematurely by emergency C-section and immediately rushed to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where he spent the first 2 1/2 months of his life in the NICU. As a child with Trisomy 21 (commonly known as Down Syndrome), GP has had several challenges to overcome, but with the support of a community that rallies behind him, he has shown tremendous growth and limitless potential. But, it is his amazing parents Luigi and Sabrina, that are the true heroes in this story. Their commitment to their son and their perseverance in the face of limited resources, has propelled them to create on their own environment for him to flourish.
Two weeks after a routine tonsillectomy to improve his severe sleep apnea, GP’s parents grew concerned over a low-grade fever that just wouldn't seem to budge. After several visits to their doctor with no real resolution, they decided that something just wasn't right and took their little boy once again to the Hospital for Sick Children. No one was prepared for the answer they received.
On February 18th, 2017, to the shock of family and friends, GP was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, something doctors believe he has had since birth, but has remained undetected (he tests every 6 months) as it was dormant. Treatment for the brave little ironman began immediately with chemotherapy, transfusions, spinal injections and many medications, as well as isolation. GP’s treatment is set to last a term of three years.
This is where we need you. To provide the necessary care for their son, Sabrina has had to stop working. Luigi is a fulltime student. GP’s battle with Leukemia affects every decision Lou and Sab make – and while treatment in hospital is covered and support programs exist, it simply isn’t enough. In 35 weeks, government support will run out, yet GP’s treatment will last another 2 years. In addition, as neither parent is insured, once he returns home, all dispensed medication and therapy will be out of pocket.
In discussing the support that they have already received, Sabrina has stressed “we are so blessed to have all the prayers and support around us, I just hope that other families that are going through this have the same. We want to be here for them too, our children are fighting together.”
It is now time for us to step up and support this beautiful family, to ease their burden and allow their focus to remain fully on GP’s fight and recovery. We are calling out to our friends, families, networks and communities to help us in supporting our little fighter by whatever means possible. We cannot stress enough that while monetary support is both needed and appreciated to cover medical costs, we would be blessed to be gifted complementary services as well.
Put on your gloves and fight this with us! Send him your best wishes, keep him in your prayers, and if you can, help us reach our goal of $30,000/services by supporting GP’s #gpvsleukemia campaign!
Our heartfelt and sincere thanks.
Organizer and beneficiary
Paula Tzouanakis Anderson
Organizer
Brampton, ON
Luigi Evangelisti
Beneficiary