Cameron Lahti's Medical/Travel fund

My name is April Carroll and I am a huge fan and friend of this amazing little boy, Cameron Lahti, who has taught me so much about living each moment to its fullest, loving unconditionally and being grateful for the little moments in life.

Cameron is a 9 year old boy (same age as my daughter Hannah) and was diagnosed with Leukaemia in May 2010, the Friday after Mother's Day.  He was only 3 years old at the time.  This was not the Mother's day present that his Mom, Debbie had ever dreamed she would be receiving.  Debbie and Cameron's Dad, Richard, spent many nights at Sick Kids and Southlake hospital in Newmarket over the next 3.5 years while Cameron underwent chemotherapy treatments. 

Six months after Cameron completed the 3.5 year round of chemotherapy and was set to head off on the Children's wish he was granted, with his family, to Hawaii, where he would get to fulfil a dream of his to see a Volcano, his optometrist discovered he had relapsed during a routine eye exam.  The relapse protocol would involve another 2.5 years of radiation to the skull, daily oral chemotherapy and monthly infused chemotherapy.  Unfortunately, the emotional and financial stress associated with caring for Cameron during treatment took a toll on Cameron’s' parents during this time and his parents separated.  Both parents have remained committed to ensuring that Cameron is supported, loved and cared for.  Debbie also has an older son, Austin, who remains one of Cameron's biggest advocates and fans!

With less than 6 months left of treatment the family was looking forward to planning a vacation out of the country as soon as Cam was done his chemotherapy protocol.  Unexpectantly, Cameron was told last week, while my family was enjoying March Break at a 5 star resort in Mexico that he had relapsed once again.  Imagine how guilty and sick I felt to learn of our little buddy’s recent diagnosis.  As soon as we arrived home I contacted Cameron's Mom, Debbie to tell her that I wanted to do whatever I could to help Cameron and the family during this unbelievably difficult time in their lives.  Debbie shared with me the following:
 "The immediate priority is to get him into remission status with a month admission to Sick Kids. Should that be successful, the next two options are:
1) Bone marrow transplant (Includes full body radiation, with a host of side effects) involving a 1-3 month admission to Sick Kids and requires a bone marrow match.
Or
2) Immunotherapy at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) where they have had some success with T-Cart Cells-harvesting and re-inserting into his body to eat the cancerous cells. This procedure is highly experimental and only began 4 years ago with 8 kids from Sick Kids in Toronto qualifying to participate in this trial.  If Cameron were to qualify this would involve a 35 day stay in Philadelphia."

Debbie and Richard are too proud to admit that they have suffered job loss and increased debt load over the last 6 years to many of their family and friends as that really was the least of their worries when their sick boy was fighting with all of his might to kick cancer's butt.  Their only wish was to have a healthy son that they would grow old with. 

I can never begin to understand the fear, the anxiety or the stress of living with a child fighting cancer and don't wish this on anyone.  Although there are some financial services available to Cameron’s' family to help support them during this time, it is not enough. This is why I am reaching out to my network of friends and family members to ask for your support. 

Any donation (big or small) is appreciated and will cover travel costs to and from Sick Kids, gas money, meals on the road, the bills piling up at home while both parents remain by Cameron's side to offer him support and encouragement and a possible trip to Philadelphia if Cameron qualifies for the experimental trial at CHOP.

I know many of you have your own bills, regular charities you support and other financial obligations, however, this would mean the world to Cameron's family and to me to be able to do something that might make this next phase in Cameron's battle with Leukaemia a little easier.  

Thank you for your support, prayers and contributions. 

Kindest regards,

April Carroll