2020 was unforgettable. On August 4, we took Jack in for a routine eye exam where we expected the usual increase in prescription. Instead we were sent to the hospital on suspicion of intracranial pressure. 1 week, 2 MRIs and a 3 hour biopsy later, we learned that our sweet boy Jack (one week shy of turning 6 years old) had an aggressive, incurable brain tumour called Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) and our world would forever change. We were shocked - Jack never presented any obvious symptoms apart from the occasional headache. We poured countless hours researching the diagnosis and connecting with close to 60 physicians/researchers around world for advice. We were determined to defy the statistics because Jack is a warrior.
Warrior Jack fought courageously for 16 months, enduring 6 weeks of whole brain radiation, numerous targeted drug therapies, countless doctor visits, hospital stays and multiple surgeries.
On December 31, 2021, Jack was healed of cancer in Heaven where he is smiling his beautiful smile, enjoying life as he always did. Whether he would be laughing, singing, bike riding, swimming, playing with his favourite toys or eating all of his favourite foods. Jack will be looking over us as our special guardian Angel helping us be better humans every day.
Jack is the true definition of love, courage, and compassion. His positive energy rubbed off on those around him and he was consistently caring to everyone.
Every day, thirteen children are diagnosed with a brain tumour, the deadliest and most common form of pediatric cancer yet less than 4% of federal funding is directed at pediatric cancer research, with only a small fraction of these funds being used for brain tumour research.
Thank you for supporting Jack and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.