Help Cole Fight Leukemia
Donation protected
This Go Fund Me page has been created to support the Bragg Family as they begin Cole’s long, slow, Leukemia Journey.
On July 24th, 2018, three year old Cole Bragg was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). On this day, the lives of Kelly, Mike, Ella, Cole, and their families were flipped upside down and forever changed in one phone call. Upon receiving that call, Cole was rushed to McMaster University Medical Centre where he was admitted for an initial period of 14 days. This is where Cole’s journey to fight cancer began.
Leukemia can be classified as Standard Risk, High Risk, and Very High Risk, with the length and intensity of treatment differing by category. When Cole was originally diagnosed, he was placed in the High Risk category. His initial care began with 29 days of induction treatment in hopes that this would cause him to go into remission. This type of treatment provides high doses of chemotherapy to make subsequent treatments more effective and help the patient go into remission. Unfortunately, at the end of his induction treatment, he was not in remission and was moved to the Very High Risk category.
Cole also has a rare genetic mutation of his Leukemia cells, called a PH-like mutation (CRLF2). Because it is harder to treat, remission is harder to achieve for some children, and treatment becomes longer and more intense. Cole will have intensive chemotherapy for the next 8 months where he will attend clinic for anywhere from 2-5 days per week. He will have scheduled admissions along the way, as well as unscheduled ones for fevers and infection. The doctors have told the family to prepare for many peaks and valleys throughout his journey.
As with caring for any sick family member, the emotional and financial burdens are large. The goal of this Go Fund Me page is to help cover some of the many expenses which in turn will help alleviate financial stressors, allowing the family to focus on Cole and his health. Kelly has taken a leave of absence from work for a minimum of 1 year; she will receive only partial income from Employment Insurance for caring for a critically ill child (which will only cover up to 35 weeks in total). Depending on how Cole’s treatment schedule runs, this may need to be extended. Additional costs we hope to cover include: gas, medical supplies, medication and supplements, home schooling costs, lost wages, special dietary feeding costs and countless others. Cole will also be seeing a Naturopathic Oncologist to ensure a well-rounded treatment plan. His family is prepared to throw everything they have into his treatment to help him beat this.
The total length of Cole’s treatment is expected to be just over 3 years. Intensive chemotherapy will continue for 8 months, followed by 2.5 years of maintenance therapy and oral chemotherapy, as well as monthly visits to the clinic for I.V. chemotherapy. We will all be with Cole through every step of the way.
Cole is our ray of sunshine. We are in awe of the bravery and strength he has shown so far. When we asked Cole what he wanted to be when he grew up, he responded with “I want to wear an Army uniform and be in the Army just like daddy” or “I’m going to be a Paw Patrol Pup so I can save the day”. Well Cole, we’re all here for you so one day you can grow up strong and save the day.
Thank you in advance to all of our friends and family for the support provided. Your support and generosity mean the world to us all, and will make a massive difference in the success of the next few years.
On July 24th, 2018, three year old Cole Bragg was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). On this day, the lives of Kelly, Mike, Ella, Cole, and their families were flipped upside down and forever changed in one phone call. Upon receiving that call, Cole was rushed to McMaster University Medical Centre where he was admitted for an initial period of 14 days. This is where Cole’s journey to fight cancer began.
Leukemia can be classified as Standard Risk, High Risk, and Very High Risk, with the length and intensity of treatment differing by category. When Cole was originally diagnosed, he was placed in the High Risk category. His initial care began with 29 days of induction treatment in hopes that this would cause him to go into remission. This type of treatment provides high doses of chemotherapy to make subsequent treatments more effective and help the patient go into remission. Unfortunately, at the end of his induction treatment, he was not in remission and was moved to the Very High Risk category.
Cole also has a rare genetic mutation of his Leukemia cells, called a PH-like mutation (CRLF2). Because it is harder to treat, remission is harder to achieve for some children, and treatment becomes longer and more intense. Cole will have intensive chemotherapy for the next 8 months where he will attend clinic for anywhere from 2-5 days per week. He will have scheduled admissions along the way, as well as unscheduled ones for fevers and infection. The doctors have told the family to prepare for many peaks and valleys throughout his journey.
As with caring for any sick family member, the emotional and financial burdens are large. The goal of this Go Fund Me page is to help cover some of the many expenses which in turn will help alleviate financial stressors, allowing the family to focus on Cole and his health. Kelly has taken a leave of absence from work for a minimum of 1 year; she will receive only partial income from Employment Insurance for caring for a critically ill child (which will only cover up to 35 weeks in total). Depending on how Cole’s treatment schedule runs, this may need to be extended. Additional costs we hope to cover include: gas, medical supplies, medication and supplements, home schooling costs, lost wages, special dietary feeding costs and countless others. Cole will also be seeing a Naturopathic Oncologist to ensure a well-rounded treatment plan. His family is prepared to throw everything they have into his treatment to help him beat this.
The total length of Cole’s treatment is expected to be just over 3 years. Intensive chemotherapy will continue for 8 months, followed by 2.5 years of maintenance therapy and oral chemotherapy, as well as monthly visits to the clinic for I.V. chemotherapy. We will all be with Cole through every step of the way.
Cole is our ray of sunshine. We are in awe of the bravery and strength he has shown so far. When we asked Cole what he wanted to be when he grew up, he responded with “I want to wear an Army uniform and be in the Army just like daddy” or “I’m going to be a Paw Patrol Pup so I can save the day”. Well Cole, we’re all here for you so one day you can grow up strong and save the day.
Thank you in advance to all of our friends and family for the support provided. Your support and generosity mean the world to us all, and will make a massive difference in the success of the next few years.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kayla Kuyvenhoven
Organizer
Grimsby, ON
Kelly Bragg
Beneficiary
