“We thought we’d be hosting our family. In the end, we found a new one at The Children’s”

The holidays won’t be the same for our family this year. Usually, we host 30 some-odd people for Christmas. This time, we’re gearing up to spend Christmas at The Children’s, while our brave little Joey, 10, continues his cancer treatment.

Our son Joey has always been a happy boy, full of energy and a passionate figure skater. On May 10, he started to feel sharp pain in one of his legs, then in other parts of his body. A fever and nausea piled on. At first, our pediatrician thought it could be a virus, but the days went by with no improvement. After many appointments, we were referred to oncology for further testing…

The shock

At the height of the summer, the verdict came: our son has leukemia. No family is ever ready to hear those words. Since then, our life has been a rollercoaster of hope, fear, and gratitude.

“I’ll never forget the moment Dr. Jitka Stankova came into the room to deliver the diagnosis. She got down on one knee, took Joey’s hand, and looked him right in the eyes. It was breathtakingly kind and compassionate.”

Thanks to your generosity, Joey is receiving exceptional care. His treatment is adapted to his personality, his energy, and his little mischievous side. Every time we visit The Children’s, we feel right at home. Knowing that he’s cared for by attentive health care workers, and that people like you support families like ours, changes everything.

Your support for The Children’s funds essential equipment, vital research, and supports the outstanding Child Life Team. These superheroes make sure that even though they’re sick, kids can continue to laugh, play, and be the little rascals we adore.

We’re not the only family who will be spending the holidays at the Hospital, but we feel the compassion and solidarity of those living in difficult times themselves.

On behalf of Joey and our whole family, thank you for continuing to make a real difference for families like ours.

Sonia, Joey’s mom