Help Cole Beat Leukemia
Donation protected
If you were a parent, what would you do to give your child a chance at a longer life?
Unfortunately, this is a question that Michelle and Marcus have to ponder as they have just received the shocking news that their precious son Cole might not have long to live.
HOW DID IT START
Cole wasn't feeling well for about a week, with no other symptoms but a fever. His parent took him to his paediatrician who told them that it was probably a cold and it would probably run its course.
On the evening of January 24, 2019, taking the advice of a co-worker, Michelle decided to take Cole to the hospital thinking that it would be a quick check-up to receive a prescription of antibiotics and life would be back to normal.
Nothing was further from the truth.
On January 25th around 2 AM, Cole was diagnosed with Leukemia.
The hospital immediately arranged for an ambulance to take Cole to Sick Kids Hospital in downtown Toronto. After hours of tests, a team of doctors formally confirmed that Cole had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) and they gave Cole a plan that involved 6 rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant.
After the first two rounds of chemo, the doctors realized the chemo wasn't working. Their oncologist decided to write to the USA and apply on a compassionate plea for them to get a medicine that could possibly help. They got approved and this medicine was able to get his body ready for the bone marrow transplant, providing that they could find a match. Surprisingly, they found a donor who was a 100% match for Cole, however, the family was heartbroken when at the last minute, they donor backed out.
Cole's dad was tested and decided to be the donor for his son. There was a 50/50 chance that it would work, but as a father, he wanted to do anything possible to save his son. On May 15, 2019 Cole received his bone marrow transplant from his dad.
Initially, the transplant appeared to be successful. Cole was slowly returning to normal. For the first time in months, he was able to leave the hospital, see family and friends and be a regular kid.
However last week, on April 14, 2020, when the family took Cole in for a check-up, they were informed that the Leukemia had returned.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
This time around, there are not a lot of options. They can't do another bone marrow transplant because the likelihood of it working is under 10% and Cole would have to go through a lot of pain and suffering.
The other option is to try and find some sort of experimental drug which is difficult especially because of the COVID 19 situation.
The last option is to just make him comfortable until the end.
THE ASK
The family has found some alternative medicine that could help Cole tremendously, so in an effort to assist them with these unexpected costs, I am asking everyone to give what they can.
This is a difficult time for everyone. People have lost jobs and their outlook is uncertain. Many people do not have the means right now but there are a few of us who do. Our ask is to anyone that is able, anyone with the means, anyone who has been blessed, to share anything with this family who is in desperate need. Anything will help.
As a mother of 3, I would move mountains to save my child. If you can, please do what you can to help this family do the same.
Unfortunately, this is a question that Michelle and Marcus have to ponder as they have just received the shocking news that their precious son Cole might not have long to live.
HOW DID IT START
Cole wasn't feeling well for about a week, with no other symptoms but a fever. His parent took him to his paediatrician who told them that it was probably a cold and it would probably run its course.
On the evening of January 24, 2019, taking the advice of a co-worker, Michelle decided to take Cole to the hospital thinking that it would be a quick check-up to receive a prescription of antibiotics and life would be back to normal.
Nothing was further from the truth.
On January 25th around 2 AM, Cole was diagnosed with Leukemia.
The hospital immediately arranged for an ambulance to take Cole to Sick Kids Hospital in downtown Toronto. After hours of tests, a team of doctors formally confirmed that Cole had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) and they gave Cole a plan that involved 6 rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant.
After the first two rounds of chemo, the doctors realized the chemo wasn't working. Their oncologist decided to write to the USA and apply on a compassionate plea for them to get a medicine that could possibly help. They got approved and this medicine was able to get his body ready for the bone marrow transplant, providing that they could find a match. Surprisingly, they found a donor who was a 100% match for Cole, however, the family was heartbroken when at the last minute, they donor backed out.
Cole's dad was tested and decided to be the donor for his son. There was a 50/50 chance that it would work, but as a father, he wanted to do anything possible to save his son. On May 15, 2019 Cole received his bone marrow transplant from his dad.
Initially, the transplant appeared to be successful. Cole was slowly returning to normal. For the first time in months, he was able to leave the hospital, see family and friends and be a regular kid.
However last week, on April 14, 2020, when the family took Cole in for a check-up, they were informed that the Leukemia had returned.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
This time around, there are not a lot of options. They can't do another bone marrow transplant because the likelihood of it working is under 10% and Cole would have to go through a lot of pain and suffering.
The other option is to try and find some sort of experimental drug which is difficult especially because of the COVID 19 situation.
The last option is to just make him comfortable until the end.
THE ASK
The family has found some alternative medicine that could help Cole tremendously, so in an effort to assist them with these unexpected costs, I am asking everyone to give what they can.
This is a difficult time for everyone. People have lost jobs and their outlook is uncertain. Many people do not have the means right now but there are a few of us who do. Our ask is to anyone that is able, anyone with the means, anyone who has been blessed, to share anything with this family who is in desperate need. Anything will help.
As a mother of 3, I would move mountains to save my child. If you can, please do what you can to help this family do the same.
Organizer and beneficiary
Letecia Rose
Organizer
Ajax, ON
Michelle Hodge Hernandez
Beneficiary
