By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Chatham youth battling cancer is in dire need of a bone marrow transplant.
His family is on the hunt for a donor match.
Currently in hospital in London, 16-year-old Ethan Hunter is fighting for his life against a rare form of lymphoma and none of his family members are compatible meaning a donor must be found.
“We need is to get the word out,” Ethan’s mom Shara Hunter told The Voice recently. “And we need prayers and a miracle.”
The Chatham-Kent Secondary School student was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma T-cell leukemia two years ago. Since that time, he’s fought bravely with doctors managing the bring the illness into remission. But three weeks ago, the teenager’s condition took a turn for the worse.
According to Shara, her son’s cancer reappeared, which for that type of cancer is rare.
“The doctors were surprised as this only happens to two per cent of people who have this disease,” she explained, noting she was guided by her intuition that something was amiss. “It wasn’t on the radar for him.”
Ethan was readmitted to hospital and is currently receiving daily blood transfusions, as the search for a donor match continues. A total of 52 per cent of his bone marrow has been invaded by cancer cells and doctors say it is spreading rapidly.
Shara and husband Darryl are hoping that putting out the call for help will secure a donor match for their son.
It only takes five minutes to register with Canadian Blood Services (CBS) as a donor, Shara explained. After filling out the online form a kit will be mailed to the applicant, who will take a swab from inside their cheek and send it back. If a hit is found on the worldwide registry, the family is immediately notified.
In order to be considered, donors must be healthy and between the ages of 17 and 35.
People can also help by contacting CBS at 1-888-236-6283 and giving blood, Shara said, as Ethan needs ongoing transfusions to survive.
In the meantime, as doctors work to bring the cancer into remission, the Hunters are preparing for a stay in Toronto where Ethan’s transplant will take place. A GoFundMe has been launched to assist the family, as it will cost an estimated $30,000 at minimum for Shara to stay in the city while Ethan recovers.
Despite the gravity of his illness, Shara said Ethan refuses to give up, noting he’s in pain and the end-of-life care team is now involved. If a donor match isn’t found, the teen may have only weeks to live.
“He’s determined,” she added. “He’s going to fight until he can’t fight no more.”
