My sister’s baby, Luke, is just 9 months old, and from the very beginning, he has been fighting an uphill battle.

When Luke was born, he was a healthy baby in the 50th percentile. Since then, his growth has steadily declined and he is now in the 5th percentile. This drop hasn’t happened without reason; Luke has suffered with excessive vomiting since the very first time he was breastfed and feeding has been a constant struggle.

Nearly every day of his life, Luke has been at risk of dehydration due to constant throwing up and his inability to keep food down. After months of trying to find answers, doctors now believe he is dealing with a growing list of food allergies, including dairy, soy, eggs, and potentially more. In addition to vomiting, Luke has also been breaking out in hives, most often after suspected exposure to soy. The heartbreaking part is that many of these ingredients, especially soy, are also found in so-called “hypoallergenic” formulas, making it incredibly difficult to find safe nutrition for him.

After seeing five different doctors and fighting for months to be taken seriously, Luke’s allergist has finally said that the only way forward is comprehensive allergy testing to rule out cross-reactivity and identify exactly what is making him sick. This testing is essential for his health, growth, and ability to safely eat.

Unfortunately, Alberta Health Services does not cover the cost of this testing. The total comes to $700 out of pocket, which is an overwhelming expense for my sister and her family.

This comes at an especially difficult time. Just before Christmas, they were involved in a car accident resulting in broken glass repairs that were not covered by insurance, adding another unexpected financial burden.

My sister is doing everything she can to advocate for her baby, attend appointments, manage elimination diets, and keep Luke hydrated and safe, all while navigating medical and financial stress.

We are asking for help so Luke can get the testing he needs to finally identify his triggers, stop the daily cycle of sickness, and start growing and thriving the way every baby deserves to.

Any donation, share, or kind word means more than we can express. Thank you for helping us support Luke on this journey towards safe eating, proper nutrition, and healthy growth