Ollie needs is love
Donation protected
Ollie Needs is Love ♥
Meet 4 year old Oliver Cox.
About five months ago, we noticed that Ollie had a few too many unexplained bruises. Although most people brushed it off and told us that it was normal for little boys to have bruises, something about it didn't sit right with me. We decided to have it looked into and made an appointment for Ollie at the Beardmore Clinic where blood work was ordered. Our family had no idea that the results of his blood work would turn their worlds upside down in an instant.
When Ollie was brought to the Nipigon Hospital, his lab results revealed that his blood counts were dangerously low; It was critical that he be treated right away. We were sent to Thunder Bay where Ollie braved his first IV, inserted into his hand, and was given blood and platelet transfusions overnight. The morning brought a swift and life changing flight to the Victoria Children's Hospital in London, Ontario.
After a month of invasive testing including: daily needles, two marrow biopsies, weekly blood transfusions, ER visits, and new IV placements every week, Oliver was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. This means his bone marrow isn’t making blood cells anymore leaving him transfusion dependant.
The doctors put in a PICC line so that the testing and transfusions would be less invasive and traumatic. This has also helped us talk and comfort Ollie through the realities of doctors and nurses touching him, taking medicine every day, and visiting the hospital twice a week. What this little boy has endured so far is more than most would medically deal with in a lifetime.
What This Means
Aplastic Anemia is a serious condition in which the bone marrow stops producing new blood cells. Healthy bone marrow is responsible for generating:
1. Red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body
2. White blood cells to fight off infection
3. Platelets that helps the blood clot and prevent bleeding
With Oliver’s bone marrow failing, he is at extremely high risk for infections and bleeding. Something quite minor would spike an immediate fever turning fatal in as little as two hours without quick and proper medical attention.
Ollie doesn’t understand why he cannot go home, be with his family, and start school. The most important thing for him now is keeping him comfortable, happy, and safe. His doctors have stated that treatments could last up to nine months at which time they will know more. Any further prognosis is dependent on the effectiveness of the current immunosuppressive therapy.
The Struggle
Ollie’s condition, as well as his treatments, require him to be within minutes of the hospital and the hematology team, should any complications arise. It’s very stressful living so far from home for such a long period of time. Danny suffers from multiple sclerosis which he was diagnosed with 20 years ago. He traveled to Poland 10 years ago for liberation surgery, yet the symptoms came back shortly after the surgery and he has been living with them ever since. He receives an ODSP cheque month that is currently our main source of income.
I’m a full-time student which has allowed me to be at Ollie’s bedside giving him 100% of my attention and support right from day one. I’ve has been forced to put my studies on hold for two years due to the availability of the program offered by Confederation College in Thunder Bay, ON and the focus needed to Ollie’s treatment and healing.
As if the diagnosis of our baby boy wasn’t traumatic enough, we’ve run into a number of obstacles that are quite discouraging. The financial burden has become overwhelming and is taking our focus away from where it should be: with Oliver. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ollie’s strength has gotten us as far as we are now but after learning that Danny had been selling his personal belongings in an attempt to cover the cost of his trip back to London for the second time now we have decided to create this gofundme page as we are in need of either a miracle or your help! My hope is to offset the weight of some of the expenses and gain some peace of mind or, at the very least, alleviate some of our fears and worrying through the comfort in knowing we’re not alone.
Where Your Donations Will Go
In the spirit of total transparency, I’m going to break down some of the ever growing expenses we’ve been faced with so far.
>Travel back-and-forth between Beardmore and London. With Danny’s MS he is required to attend appointments with his neurologist and routine MRI’s back in Thunder Bay. Also, Oliver’s big brother, Nolan, lives in Red Rock and it is important for the family to maintain a connection with him which has proven difficult with the sudden relocation.
>Household and cellphone bills: Communication between both parents and the hospital to is vital for well being.
>Medical expenses and assistance: PICC line covers, hygienic supplies, OTC medication and supplements needed to maintain Oliver’s health.
>Transportation around London: Whether it be driving our own vehicle down from up North, using taxis, or if ambulatory services are needed, the cost of transportation adds up very quickly. With Ollie’s condition being so delicate, having him brought back to the hospital immediately if anything were to happen is vital.
>Home damage repair and clean up: During Danny’s first trip back home, he had discovered a leaking pipe that led to extensive water damage causing a portion of the main floor to collapse and a black mold problem found directly under the bedrooms. It’s so important for this to be taken care of properly before it is even a thought of Ollie returning home. In the event that Ollie was discharged prior to these necessary renovations being completed, we could not stay in their own home.
>Special education and safety costs for immunocompromised children: Ollie was supposed to start his first year of school this September but given the circumstances the family is now exploring other options such as private child care and classes.
>Accommodation at the Ronald McDonald House from anywhere to another three to nine months.
>Respite for the parents: in the face of so much stress, breaks are necessary to stay resilient for our little boy.
What We Need
You contribute a large part in making Ollie’s road to recovery as comfortable as possible and we’re grateful for every kind donor who chooses to contribute to his recovery. I realize money can be a bit tight at times so please know that anything helps and it’s all appreciated, whether it’s $2, $10 or $20. If you do not wish to make a donation through the site, you can email me or Danny at [email redacted] or [email redacted]. Please share Ollie’s story with your family and friends and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. I will post regular updates to keep you all in the loop, but feel free to contact me for any further information.
Other Ways You Can Help
Donate blood
by checking if your eligible and finding donor centres at https://blood.ca/en/blood
Donate cells for bone marrow
by registering with Canadian Blood Services at https://blood.ca/en/stem-cells/eligibility-and-registration/register-donate-stem-cells
Keep Ollie in your thoughts and prayers
With London being so far away, we realize that it is unrealistic to expect many visitors, if any at all for Oliver. That being said it really lifts his spirits when he receives mail. ♥
Meet 4 year old Oliver Cox. About five months ago, we noticed that Ollie had a few too many unexplained bruises. Although most people brushed it off and told us that it was normal for little boys to have bruises, something about it didn't sit right with me. We decided to have it looked into and made an appointment for Ollie at the Beardmore Clinic where blood work was ordered. Our family had no idea that the results of his blood work would turn their worlds upside down in an instant.
When Ollie was brought to the Nipigon Hospital, his lab results revealed that his blood counts were dangerously low; It was critical that he be treated right away. We were sent to Thunder Bay where Ollie braved his first IV, inserted into his hand, and was given blood and platelet transfusions overnight. The morning brought a swift and life changing flight to the Victoria Children's Hospital in London, Ontario.
After a month of invasive testing including: daily needles, two marrow biopsies, weekly blood transfusions, ER visits, and new IV placements every week, Oliver was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. This means his bone marrow isn’t making blood cells anymore leaving him transfusion dependant.
The doctors put in a PICC line so that the testing and transfusions would be less invasive and traumatic. This has also helped us talk and comfort Ollie through the realities of doctors and nurses touching him, taking medicine every day, and visiting the hospital twice a week. What this little boy has endured so far is more than most would medically deal with in a lifetime.
What This Means
Aplastic Anemia is a serious condition in which the bone marrow stops producing new blood cells. Healthy bone marrow is responsible for generating:
1. Red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body
2. White blood cells to fight off infection
3. Platelets that helps the blood clot and prevent bleeding
With Oliver’s bone marrow failing, he is at extremely high risk for infections and bleeding. Something quite minor would spike an immediate fever turning fatal in as little as two hours without quick and proper medical attention.
Ollie doesn’t understand why he cannot go home, be with his family, and start school. The most important thing for him now is keeping him comfortable, happy, and safe. His doctors have stated that treatments could last up to nine months at which time they will know more. Any further prognosis is dependent on the effectiveness of the current immunosuppressive therapy.
The Struggle
Ollie’s condition, as well as his treatments, require him to be within minutes of the hospital and the hematology team, should any complications arise. It’s very stressful living so far from home for such a long period of time. Danny suffers from multiple sclerosis which he was diagnosed with 20 years ago. He traveled to Poland 10 years ago for liberation surgery, yet the symptoms came back shortly after the surgery and he has been living with them ever since. He receives an ODSP cheque month that is currently our main source of income.
I’m a full-time student which has allowed me to be at Ollie’s bedside giving him 100% of my attention and support right from day one. I’ve has been forced to put my studies on hold for two years due to the availability of the program offered by Confederation College in Thunder Bay, ON and the focus needed to Ollie’s treatment and healing.
As if the diagnosis of our baby boy wasn’t traumatic enough, we’ve run into a number of obstacles that are quite discouraging. The financial burden has become overwhelming and is taking our focus away from where it should be: with Oliver. There’s no doubt in my mind that Ollie’s strength has gotten us as far as we are now but after learning that Danny had been selling his personal belongings in an attempt to cover the cost of his trip back to London for the second time now we have decided to create this gofundme page as we are in need of either a miracle or your help! My hope is to offset the weight of some of the expenses and gain some peace of mind or, at the very least, alleviate some of our fears and worrying through the comfort in knowing we’re not alone.
Where Your Donations Will Go
In the spirit of total transparency, I’m going to break down some of the ever growing expenses we’ve been faced with so far.
>Travel back-and-forth between Beardmore and London. With Danny’s MS he is required to attend appointments with his neurologist and routine MRI’s back in Thunder Bay. Also, Oliver’s big brother, Nolan, lives in Red Rock and it is important for the family to maintain a connection with him which has proven difficult with the sudden relocation.
>Household and cellphone bills: Communication between both parents and the hospital to is vital for well being.
>Medical expenses and assistance: PICC line covers, hygienic supplies, OTC medication and supplements needed to maintain Oliver’s health.
>Transportation around London: Whether it be driving our own vehicle down from up North, using taxis, or if ambulatory services are needed, the cost of transportation adds up very quickly. With Ollie’s condition being so delicate, having him brought back to the hospital immediately if anything were to happen is vital.
>Home damage repair and clean up: During Danny’s first trip back home, he had discovered a leaking pipe that led to extensive water damage causing a portion of the main floor to collapse and a black mold problem found directly under the bedrooms. It’s so important for this to be taken care of properly before it is even a thought of Ollie returning home. In the event that Ollie was discharged prior to these necessary renovations being completed, we could not stay in their own home.
>Special education and safety costs for immunocompromised children: Ollie was supposed to start his first year of school this September but given the circumstances the family is now exploring other options such as private child care and classes.
>Accommodation at the Ronald McDonald House from anywhere to another three to nine months.
>Respite for the parents: in the face of so much stress, breaks are necessary to stay resilient for our little boy.
What We Need
You contribute a large part in making Ollie’s road to recovery as comfortable as possible and we’re grateful for every kind donor who chooses to contribute to his recovery. I realize money can be a bit tight at times so please know that anything helps and it’s all appreciated, whether it’s $2, $10 or $20. If you do not wish to make a donation through the site, you can email me or Danny at [email redacted] or [email redacted]. Please share Ollie’s story with your family and friends and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. I will post regular updates to keep you all in the loop, but feel free to contact me for any further information.
Other Ways You Can Help
Donate blood
by checking if your eligible and finding donor centres at https://blood.ca/en/blood
Donate cells for bone marrow
by registering with Canadian Blood Services at https://blood.ca/en/stem-cells/eligibility-and-registration/register-donate-stem-cells
Keep Ollie in your thoughts and prayers
With London being so far away, we realize that it is unrealistic to expect many visitors, if any at all for Oliver. That being said it really lifts his spirits when he receives mail. ♥
Co-organizers (2)
Kirstey Brown
Organizer
Beardmore, ON
Dan Cox
Co-organizer