Hi, my name is Alexandra, and I’m Josie’s older sister. I’m creating this fundraiser to support my little sister Josie as she bravely undergoes aggressive treatment for leukemia. This diagnosis has deeply affected our entire family. Our mom, Wendy, is now Josie’s full-time caregiver and has had to step away from work completely. These funds will help ensure Josie gets the care, comfort, and stability she needs, while also supporting our mom and family through the many emotional and financial challenges we’re facing along the way.

Just over a month ago, my beautiful 4-year-old sister Josie was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). This is a type of blood cancer that develops quickly and aggressively, affecting the bone marrow and blood cells that are meant to help fight infections. Her immune system is already compromised from her having Down Syndrome, and combined with this type of cancer, leaves her immunocompromised. This means that Josie’s immune system is practically nonexistent, and she cannot fight any infection, putting her at extreme risk. This diagnosis requires immediate, intensive treatment.

Josie was rushed into chemotherapy within days of her diagnosis. She is now one month into what will be a very demanding 2.5-year treatment plan. She has already finished her first cycle, and we are anxiously waiting to find out how her body has responded.

During this first cycle, she had to stay full-time at BC Children’s Hospital, nearly one hour from our home. Thankfully, this hospital has one of the few specialists in Canada focused on treating leukemia in children with Down syndrome, and Josie is in excellent hands.

She’s now completed her first cycle, and while she’s no longer admitted full-time, she still requires frequent hospital visits, sometimes several times per week. These regular, long-distance commutes are exhausting and costly for our family, but they are essential for her care.

Josie’s diagnosis came right before her preschool graduation, a day we had been looking forward to as a family. She had to defer starting school for another year, and she is not allowed to attend daycare due to her condition. Instead of classroom play and story time, she now spends her days being poked, prodded, and surrounded by doctors and nurses.

Despite all of that, Josie remains her bright, joyful self. She loves singing and dancing (especially to Shakira), and eating has become one of her favorite pastimes, especially now that she's on treatment-related steroids that make her extra chubby and adorable.

Our mom is a single parent who has carried the full weight of raising Josie since she was just 4 months old. She has faced every challenge with strength and love, including raising a child with Down syndrome, and now standing by Josie through the fight of her life. She has had to take a full year off work to care for Josie through every treatment, every hospital stay, every moment.

Her partner today has lovingly stepped into the role of father and has been a constant source of emotional and practical support.

This fundraiser is to help relieve the financial strain on our mom, allowing her to remain fully by Josie’s side throughout this journey. Your support will help cover the growing costs of Josie’s care and recovery, including our mom’s lost income, essential living expenses, the drastic shift in our family’s daily life, and the frequent travel required for hospital visits.

Our family is completely heartbroken. We are by Josie’s side every hour of every day, trying to give her as much comfort, love, and stability as possible in the middle of all this uncertainty.

Any donation, share, prayer, or kind message means more to us than we can express. Thank you for taking the time to read Josie’s story and for being part of her fight.

With love,

Alexandra & Family