Usually, Hunter never sits still. He runs, jumps and plays, day in and day out.
But, when Hunter got sick with a fever for the first time at two years old, something was different.
Instead of jumping on the couch, Hunter just sat. Not talking or eating…
And suddenly, after multiple tests at their local hospital in Thunder Bay, Hunter and his Dad were being airlifted…
…Flying 1500km at three in the morning to Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre.
Mike will never forget what it felt like when they arrived.
“It was surreal seeing 15-plus people all gowned up working on Hunter, calling stats, administering drugs non-stop, trying to get a line into him. I was terrified.”
Children’s Hospital’s Paediatric Critical Care experts were working as hard as they could to help Hunter, and determined that he had Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare and life-threatening blood disease.
For nine weeks after that first night, Hunter endured more procedures and medications during his time in hospital than most of us will in a lifetime. He was connected to life support, received chemotherapy and had a dual Hickman line inserted (allowing doctors to administer medications while withdrawing blood) to run his 15 new medications.
Just over two months later, Hunter was officially classified as in remission and able to return to his home in Thunder Bay.
Today, Hunter is an energetic 8-year-old who loves video games.
His love of all things Super Mario wouldn’t have been possible without that first flight.
A ride made possible with the help of community-minded leaders like Air Canada, whose Hospital Transportation Program helps connect children like Hunter to the medical care they need, even when it’s far away from home.
This week, YOU can help kids like Hunter get closer to the care they need.
Donate your Aeroplan points during Air Canada’s Aeroplan matching week October 2 to 8 and help ensure kids from all over Western Ontario have access to leading-edge care.
And each point you donate will be matched by Air Canada – doubling your impact!
Together with Air Canada, you can help kids like Hunter live happier healthier childhoods.
