Dear friends, family and community,

Some families are asked to carry more than anyone should ever have to.

On September 11, 2026, Ty and Ayla received news that every parent fears: their six-month old son, Oliver, was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. A very rare and serious form of cancer in the eye.

In an instant, their world flipped upside down.

Only about 20–25 children in Canada are diagnosed with Retinoblastoma each year, which is why Oliver's treatment needs to take place at the SickKids Hospital in Toronto, where one of the country’s leading retinoblastoma teams provides this highly specialized care. Oliver is expected to require numerous rounds of Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC), a treatment that delivers chemotherapy directly into the artery supplying the eye to target the tumour while reducing exposure to the rest of his body. Oliver will also require ongoing care in Winnipeg, with years of specialized follow-up to give him the best chance at preserving his remaining vision, including frequent eye exams, patching therapy, glasses and more. Unfortunately the large tumour in Oliver's right eye has already affected his vision but the focus now is to first and foremost save his life, then save his eye and then attempt to preserve as much vision as possible.

The road ahead is uncertain and with each treatment comes an emotional and financial burden on the family including travel costs, hotel stays, transportation, meals, other accommodations and of course further on-going procedures and treatment plans depending on how the tumour responds.

Oliver is the happiest little boy who is always smiling, incredibly easygoing, and so unbelievably strong. Despite everything Oliver is facing he continues to remind us what resilience looks like. He is deeply loved by his entire family including his two proud big brothers, Mason (5) and James (3), who absolutely adore him.

For those of you who know Ayla and Tyler, know that this year has already been an incredibly challenging time with unrelated medical emergencies, but the recent diagnosis of Oliver has truly been a devastating blow for the family. Through these unimaginable circumstances, Ty and Ayla have shown extraordinary strength. They have faced devastating conversations, countless appointments, hospital visits and ongoing uncertainty with unwavering love and courage. They are the kind of people who have always shown up for others, and now it's our turn to show up for them.

This fundraiser has been created to help ease the financial burden for Oliver's care, giving Ty and Ayla the ability to focus on what matters most: being beside Oliver during his fight on this long and difficult road ahead.

Every contribution, no matter the amount, is deeply appreciated. If you aren't able to donate, sharing Oliver's story and keeping him and his family in your thoughts and prayers means just as much.

Thank you for supporting this beautiful little boy and his family as they begin a journey filled with uncertainty, hope and determination.

Please keep Ollie in your thoughts and prayers as he continues his fight against Retinoblastoma.