It is with a heavy heart that I’m sharing this on behalf of my sister, Shelby, my brother-in-law, Kelly, and my sweet one-year-old nephew, Foxx.

On Saturday, Shelby, Kelly & their five boys came home early from a camping trip after Foxx had developed a fever and began vomiting. At first, they thought it was just a bug, but when none of their four other boys became sick, they knew something wasn’t right.

On Sunday morning, they brought Foxx to the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

After a difficult IV insertion, an attentive nurse noticed that Foxx’s belly was swollen and that there was a concerning bump on his right abdomen. His bloodwork showed he was severely anemic, and he was immediately started on IV fluids. More bloodwork and an X-ray raised even more concerns, leading doctors to rush him for a CT scan.

Late Sunday night, Shelby and Kelly received devastating news: Foxx has a tumour on his right kidney. He was admitted to Pediatric Oncology at the Stollery.

On Monday, further testing revealed that the cancer had spread to his lungs.

They are still waiting for biopsy results to better understand exactly what they are up against. What we do know is that Foxx has a mass on his right kidney with nodules that have spread to his lungs, making this a Stage 4 childhood cancer diagnosis.

No family is ever prepared to hear those words.

Right now, Shelby and Kelly’s only focus is getting Foxx the care he needs. They are facing a long road of hospital living, treatments, surgeries, and countless unknowns. During this time, they will also be trying to care for their four other young boys, manage childcare, keep up with their mortgage and monthly bills, and survive one day at a time.

Shelby was preparing to return to work after maternity leave, without employment benefits, when their world was turned upside down. Kelly is self employed and his business is dependent of him being able to put time in, which there is now none of. The financial burden of stepping away from work, living between home and the hospital, childcare, and everyday living expenses is a huge stressor for them right now.

If you know Shelby and Kelly, you know they are the kind of people who would give the shirts off their backs to help someone in need. Today, they are the ones who need their community.

If you are able, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ease the financial burden so they can focus entirely on what matters most: helping Foxx heal.

If you’re unable to give financially, sharing this and keeping Foxx, Shelby, Kelly, their boys, Adler, Odin, Manon, Jett and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers means the world.

Thank you for surrounding this family with love, hope, and support during the most difficult journey of their lives.