Chasing the dream to be cancer free

Chasing the Dream to be cancer free.

 In late August 2020, at only four years old, Chase Annecchini was diagnosed with Stage- 4 Neuroblastoma cancer. In early September, instead of starting kindergarten in Vernon with his twin brother Tyson, Chase started chemo at VCH, followed by numerous blood transfusions.

This life-changing journey  began shortly after a normal  adventurous day that Chase,  two of his brothers, and  father Tony Annecchini often took. It was a day of fun, adventure, biking  and swimming (Chase's favourite ).  The following evening Chase started complaining of leg pain and how he was unable to sleep at night. Concerned, he was taken to see the family doctor and sent for an x-ray. Two days later he was admitted to Vancouver Children's Hospital  where he was diagnosed with Stage 4 - Neuroblastoma.

 Neuroblastoma cancer attacks aggressively and within 75-90 days it was throughout Chase’s little body, including bone marrow, lesions on his bones, his skull, and a mass of threaded arteries around his kidney. Since then Chase has had 6 blood transfusions, and surgery.

Chase has a very long and difficult road ahead of  him with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplants.
It is mandatory for him to live at VCH. The expected duration for his treatment is 18-24 months. A long road ahead awaits while enduring all the treatments needed, away from his home, family and friends in Vernon.

Chase’s father, Tony Annecchini who grew up in Langely, now lives in Vernon, B.C. as a single father with four energetic sons between the ages of 5 to 16, with shared care for three of them.

The Vernon father is staying positive as he juggles life between Vancouver Children’s Hospital to be with his sick son, and Vernon where he tries desperately to maintain normalcy for his other 3 boys who are attending school regularly. Tony  travels back and forth between cities on a weekly basis, desperate and determined to support all of his children. 
This  ‘fight for life’ journey has already been very challenging and expensive, and will get more strenuous as Chase continues treatments.

Tony, who was self-employed, has had to quit his jobs to be able to physically and mentally support all four of his children. With no workplace benefits available this becomes even more stressful.  

Tony and Chase are in this war together fighting the battles daily.
Tony has been a rock for his boys, while having to take on the pain and heartship of not only what Chase is going through, but all his children.

Chase was a  very happy  active boy who  loved to play outside, go on adventures, ride his bike and play with his brothers, who are all very close. He has won the hearts of all that know him with his incredible smile that he shared enthusiastically every single day, and still does. In the hospital he now has fun occasionally racing wheelchairs  down the hospital halls, driving remote cars around the hospital, and plotting the next opportunity to escape to go outside. He giggles and laughs relentlessly at the silliness his dad provides to keep his spirits up, and while he misses having fun with his brothers, he stays connected with them daily via Face-time. He has had the most amazing attitude during this time and has shown strength and will-power that has blown us all away. Taking a keen interest in his treatment, he is not shy to let the nurses know if he thinks they forgot to do something.  We are all so proud of how brave and strong he has been through all of this!

We appreciate whatever support that can be offered to help Chase, Tony, and the other 3 sons. Housing, food and gas, school, and day to day expenses are all needed at this difficult time to be able to give Chase and his brothers everything they need to get through this!  
If you are unable to donate, we ask that you please pass this page along on all social media outlets. Text the link to family and friends and  help spread the word!!

Together we can all help make a little difference in this family's time of need. 

we are chasing hope
chasing the dream to be cancer free