Our Story

Our little boy Evrick Lebrun has been diagnosed with an extremely rare blood disorder called Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia Type IV (CDA Type IV). This condition prevents his body from producing healthy red blood cells, leaving him chronically anemic and dependent on ongoing medical care and blood transfusions.

To give you an idea of how rare this is, fewer than 15 documented cases of CDA Type IV have ever been recorded worldwide. CDA Type IV is exceptionally rare, with a prevalence of less than 1 in 1,000,000 people. Because of this rarity, there is limited research and few established treatment paths, which has made Evrick’s journey especially complex and challenging.

Evrick is the middle of seven children, and his siblings absolutely adore him. They’ve stood by his side through every hospital visit, late-night worry, and moment of hope. This experience has deeply touched our entire family, but through it all, we remain focused on one goal: giving him the healthy future he deserves.

The Medical Journey So Far

Over the past few years, Evrick has needed regular blood transfusions to keep his red blood cell levels stable. Unfortunately, these transfusions have led to iron overload, a serious buildup of excess iron in his body.

Despite taking chelation medication to remove iron, the overload has already begun to affect his organs. His medical team has found signs of liver and spleen enlargement, along with fluid around his lungs and liver. These complications are extremely dangerous for a small child and can lead to irreversible organ damage if not addressed.

After many long discussions with doctors and careful reflection as a family, we made the difficult but necessary decision to move forward with Evrick’s bone marrow transplant sooner than planned.

The Plan Ahead

Originally, the transplant was expected to take place in mid-to-late 2026, but due to the risks from iron overload, the date has been moved up.

• January 2026: Evrick will undergo a series of pre-transplant tests and procedures in Montreal.

• February 2026: His bone marrow transplant will take place.

We are beyond grateful that one of our daughters, Evrick’s sister is a confirmed donor match. She will go through her own medical testing and health evaluations in January to reconfirm her compatibility and prepare for the donation process.

This means additional travel, appointments, and recovery time for both children in Montreal, all of which come with emotional and financial challenges.

Why We Need Your Help

Our family has been covering most of the medical and travel costs ourselves and have been saving steadily for this journey. However, because the transplant date has been moved up several months earlier than planned, the financial strain has increased significantly.

Your support will help us cover:

• Medical expenses not fully covered by insurance (medications, hospital fees, and specialized follow-up care)

• Travel costs between Ottawa ↔ Montreal

• Temporary accommodation near the hospital during testing, transplant, and recovery

• Daily expenses while away from home

• Lost income from taking time off work to support both children through this process

• Post-transplant home care, constant deep cleaning, sterilization supplies, HEPA filters, and air purifiers for a safe environment

• Support for Evrick’s recovery

How You Can Help

If you’re able to contribute, please know that every dollar makes a difference in helping Evrick get the care he needs.

If you’re unable to donate, we kindly ask that you share this page to help us get his story out there. Awareness truly helps more than you might think.

If you’ve been through a bone marrow transplant journey, either personally or with a loved one, we would love to hear your stories and words of encouragement. And if you can’t give or share, please keep Evrick and our family in your prayers as we navigate this next chapter together.

Thank You

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, generosity, and support. Your kindness brings us strength and hopes each day as we prepare for the months ahead.

Together, we can give Evrick the gift of health, healing, and a brighter tomorrow.