THUNDER BAY -- Two years ago, Hunter Fernyc was an hour from death.
Diagnosed with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiotosis, a rare blood disease, the then two-year-old was airlifted from Thunder Bay to the London Children’s Hospital in London, Ont., where doctors prepared his parents and grandparents for the worst.
In fact, they were told to say their goodbyes.
But Hunter somehow managed to defy the odds. The youngster, now four, still isn’t out of the woods, and if the disease returns he’ll need a bone-marrow transplant.
In all likelihood, he’d probably die.
His mother, Jessica Page, on Thursday said if it wasn’t for the treatment received at the southern Ontario hospital, she wouldn’t have her son today.
It’s why the family was front and centre at the Dawson Road Wal-Mart location to help launch a month-long Children’s Miracle Network fundraising campaign, which aims to collect $12,000 to help the London Children’s Hospital provide service to children like Hunter.
Thunder Bay does not have a dedicated children’s hospital, and many local children are sent to London for treatment.
“There is 100 per cent chance Hunter would not be here without that hospital. Thunder Bay, unfortunately, just isn’t equipped for pediatric care as London is,” she said. “The PCCU Hospital saved his life. They had three nurses standing there waiting for something to happen so that they could react.
“There were several times where he would start vomiting blood and they were there to take care of him instantly.”
Hunter would spend six weeks in hospital, five days in an induced coma before awakening and beginning his long road to recovery.
Page said she wants to ensure other parents continue to have the resources available should their children face a deadly disease.
“More and more kids are getting sick and more kids are going down (to London) and we’re learning of more and more families who are using that hospital to save them,” she said.
Yuchi Yang is the manager of the Dawson Road Wal-Mart said as a new parent, he can relate, which is why he is so passionate about the campaign.
“I have a baby girl and she’s 10 months old. When she was first born she had to stay in the (neo-natal intensive care unit) for a few days. That was heartbreaking for me. I can’t even imagine what kind of hardship a family would have to go through,” Yang said.
“So the company is giving us a great program.”
Throughout the month of May customers will be asked to donate a dollar – or more – at the till, the proceeds of which will be going to the hospital in London. Yang said they will also be hosting other events to help raise money. Last year’s campaign raised $17,000 at his store alone. All three local Wal-Mart locations will be taking part.
