Stories from U-Link

Hunter

"When you receive the shocking news that your child has been diagnosed with cancer, it's a devastation that you can't explain! As you start the unknown journey of them battling for their life, you live with fear and hope everyday and wonder how you'll get through this.

Throughout Hunter's almost 7 year battle, sadly our treatment options here at the IWK ran out and we had to start traveling to SickKids in Toronto. We spent 2 years traveling back and forth every month trying numerous clinical trials.   Now your family is separated during the worst time of your lives and you have the added stress of the financial burden.

When one of the trials required us to pay for all of the travel expenses, we were so relieved to be referred to the U-Link Patient and Family Fund. We will be forever grateful for the generous support we received from them to cover the travel costs. So many families like ours wouldn't always have treatment options available without the help of the U-Link Patient and Family Fund. It's such a wonderful foundation that truly helped to keep our hopes up and the battle ongoing!"  - Hunter's Parents

Teddy

"Teddy was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 2. He did 2 1/2 years of chemotherapy and enjoyed 1 year of remission. In August 2024 Teddy relapsed and we were put into a treatment that was 10 times worse and more demanding requiring me and Teddy to live 3 hours away from home and my husband and daughter for 8+ months. This added so much stress to an already incredibly stressful situation. The U-link program was literally a life saver for us. The help with food, gas, and parking was such a relief and great blessing. It took off some of the financial pressure so we could focus more on Teddy's hospital and medical treatment. We would not have made it this long without the generous support from the U-link program and the generosity of their donors. Thank you for your kindness and support to a family you don’t even know."  - Teddy's Mom

"Family Fund has been able to help cushion the impact of our daughter’s health situation. Migrating to a new country and facing a daunting health challenge can be tedious on everyone. Thank you U-Link Patient & Family Fund for your timely and kind assistance. Our family is ever grateful."  - Patient's Parents

Isaac

"'We found a mass in Isaac's brain.' I will never forget these words from a pediatrician a day after my son Isaac turned 3 years old. Your entire world as you know it is instantly flipped upside down. 

At the age of three, Isaac underwent 8 surgical procedures, including 2 major resection surgeries, 2 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 treatments of proton therapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Proton therapy is not available in Canada so for him to get the best possible chances to beat his cancer, the United States were where we needed to take him. 

His treatment lasted 8 months and during that time, we travelled between CHEO in Ottawa, SickKids in Toronto and MGH in Boston where we had to stay for 2 months. It was not even an option for our family to be separated during these moments so the whole family stayed in Boston, Maman, Papa, Isaac and little brother Elliot (20 months old). 

U-Link's help was such a beautiful surprise for us and felt like a huge hug, felt like someone telling us "We know these are hard moments, please let us help you as we can." 

Two days ago, we heard the words that we have been waiting for from our neuro-oncologist "Isaac is currently in remission." We had dreamt of these words. 

We are extremely grateful for the support our family received and for the stress it took off our shoulders."   

- Isaac's Mom