Perth boy Ace in desperate fight for life after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
A young boy diagnosed with leukemia will spend 100 days in isolation as his parents pray his body accepts a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Seven-year-old WA boy Ace was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was just five years old.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer that occurs when the bone marrow produces too many immature white blood cells. It’s a fast-growing cancer that can affect people of all ages but is most common in children.
Ace has been admitted multiple times to Perth Children’s Hospital, undergoing invasive treatments, chemotherapy and countless procedures.
In December last year, Ace was admitted full-time to undergo chemotherapy, and cranial and full-body radiation therapy to prepare him for a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant.
Ace’s aunty Kiraley Van Eyk revealed the young boy’s journey is far from over.
“On Friday 7th February, Ace underwent the bone marrow transplant, a critical step in his fight for survival,” Ms Van Eyk said.
“Since then, he has faced unimaginable challenges, struggling with intense pain and is unable to eat, therefore having to rely on tube feeding to maintain his strength.
“Despite these overwhelming hurdles, the endless treatments and the emotional toll, Ace has shown an extraordinary amount of courage.”
Ace will be isolated for 100 days in hospital given the complexity of his treatment.
“This time is critical as we pray his body accepts the transplant, Ms Van Eyk said.
“During this period, only his parents will be allowed to visit.
“Ace’s two sisters love him dearly and long to cuddle him, but sadly they cannot have any physical contact with him.
“For the next 100 days, they can only wave at each other through a glass screen.”
Ms Van Eyk wrote that Ace’s parents are “focusing all their energy on his well-being”, with both his mum Sharni and dad Peter taking time off work to be by his side every day.
“Sharni has given up her job to be by Ace’s side,” Ms Van Eyk wrote.
“Peter has had to take time off work for the foreseeable future to be there for their family, caring for their two daughters — aged just 2 and 13 with the support of loved ones.”
Ms Van Eyk has set up a GoFundMe to help ease the financial pressure on Ace’s parents.
The fundraiser is hoping to raise $50,000 to help cover the cost of Ace’s life-saving treatment.
“Ace’s parents and family are doing everything they can to support him and the last thing they should have to worry about is financial stress,” she wrote on the GoFundMe.
“Easing one burden for their family of five would mean the world to them. They are already facing so much heartache, worrying about finances shouldn’t be another battle they have to fight.”
Following the 100-day isolation period, Ace will require an additional 6 to 12 months of isolation at home to rebuild his immune system.
Just 21 hours after the fundraiser was set up, almost $15,000 has been donated.
