Help Jake's family through his recovery

Before May 10th, 2020, Dave and Verity Kislingbury from Canoe Cove, P.E.I. were busy raising their young boys, William and Jake.  Sadly, tragedy has struck the Kislingburys and they need our help to get through what will likely be the hardest year of their lives. 

On May 10th, three-year-old Jake woke in the morning crying "Daddy needs to turn on the lights."  He couldn't see.  He had been complaining of head pain for a couple of weeks.  Trips to the Doctor and antibiotics for a suspected ear infection didn't help. The morning of May 10th, Jake was rushed to the QEH, where the cause of his blindness was discovered: he had a mass in his head that was pressing on his optic nerve.   

Little Jake was flown to Halifax and underwent a 7-hour surgery to remove the tumor.  He was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting young children.  Several other tumors have been found throughout Jake's body.  Doctors have told the Kislingburys there is a 70% to 80% chance of curing the cancer.  But, Jake must undergo 8 months of chemotherapy treatments at the IWK Hospital in Halifax. 

Tragically, Jake is not expected to regain his sight.  He will require extensive rehabilitation to help him adapt to his new reality. 

Dave is employed by Atlantic Controls, a commercial heat/air condition company, and Verity is employed at P.E.I. Newcomers Assn.  This family will be under tremendous financial strain over the course of Jake's treatment--loss of pay, accommodation, food, travel costs, and rehab for Jake willweigh heavily on them. 

Currently, Dave and Verity are at Jake's bedside and are unable to leave his room due to COVID-19 measures.  Meanwhile, family and friends in P.E.I. are caring for Jake's 7 year-old brother, William.  William hasn't yet grasped the extent of Jake's condition and dearly misses his parents and little brother. 

This family needs our help so they can focus on staying positive for little Jake.  He's got a battle ahead of him.

Any donation is greatly appreciated.   

Thank you kindly, 
Jeannie and Phil Pitts