Help Hanlon Thompson Access Life-Saving Medical & Emotional

My name is Kayla Thompson, and I’m a mother fighting for the life and well-being of my 17year-old son, Hanlon.

Hanlon is a proud member of the Ochapowace First Nation. He is bright, artistic, and compassionate. He used to be a vibrant teen—playing hockey, hanging out with friends, and skating in his community. Today, his life has changed beyond recognition.

Hanlon suffers from IgA Nephropathy, a rare and serious autoimmune disease causing chronic inflammation in his kidneys, lungs, and brain. He also has Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS)—a rare neurological disorder that severely impacts his appetite, mental health, and ability to function. On top of that, he lives with anemia, dangerously high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and multiple food allergies and dietary restrictions.

He is on immune-suppressing medications, which make him extremely vulnerable to infections—something as simple as a cold can send him into a health crisis. As a result, Hanlon has been removed from school for long durations of time, isolated from peers, and can no longer play hockey, go to the movies, visit family, or even hug his little brother if he's sick.

The emotional impact of this isolation is crushing. Hanlon struggles with Persistent Depressive Disorder and has experienced suicidal ideation. He is in urgent need of consistent mental health therapy and emotional support, including a service animal to help stabilize his day-to-day life.

Our greatest fear is that the system is failing him—and waiting him out until he turns 18, at which point his access to federal Indigenous children’s health supports ends. We've applied for essential help through Jordan’s Principle, with multiple letters of medical support from specialists at Alberta Children’s Hospital, but many of our urgent requests have been denied or delayed for over a year.

We are asking for your support to help Hanlon survive—and live with dignity.

Here’s where your donation would go:

$1,220/month for medically tailored groceries due to Hanlon’s kidney disease and food allergies.

$20,880 for deep cleaning support to maintain a sterile home environment and protect his immune system.

$4,680 for training a service dog, and $3,500 to help cover the cost of an emotional support dog we already purchased based on his psychologist’s recommendation.

$1,554 for medical parking fees that are not covered.

$31,200/year in privatized daycare fees for Hanlon’s younger brother, December, which is medically necessary so that December does not bring home germs from public daycare that could seriously harm Hanlon’s immune-compromised body.

Mental health therapy not covered by benefits, which Hanlon urgently needs for depression and trauma recovery.

Every dollar makes a difference. Whether it's $5 or $500, your kindness helps lift the weight off our shoulders and ensures Hanlon receives the care and stability he deserves.

If you can’t donate, please share Hanlon’s story. His life has value, and he deserves more than silence and denial from the systems meant to protect him.

Thank you for standing with us.

With gratitude,

Kayla, Hanlon, and December Thompson

Calgary, Alberta