By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Ethan Hunter has returned home to a hero’s welcome.
The youth, fighting a difficult three-year battle against a rare form of cancer, came back to Chatham July 22.
Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a host of friends and family on the front lawn, as well as members of C-K Fire & Rescue, OPP and Chatham-Kent police, who provided a motor escort.
The crowd waved homemade signs, blew horns and even presented the 17 year old with a big chocolate ‘Welcome Home’ cake.
The teen, who has spent most of the last two years in hospital in London and Toronto, hit a ground-breaking milestone in his recovery. He’s in remission, defying the odds to become the first person in the world with T-cell lymphoma to respond to a new trial drug.
At one point, doctors said he only had six weeks to live.
Awed by the attention, Ethan quietly took in hugs and greetings from well-wishers, his eyes smiling above a hospital mask.
Ethan’s mother, Shara Hunter, said the support the family and son has received is “incredible.
“We are very, very grateful for every single person,” Shara said, “and the incredible outpouring of prayers.”
“I don’t even want to use the word ‘lucky,’ because it’s not luck. Ethan fought this hard. Ethan wanted to come home. God loves him.”
At age 14, Ethan was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare subtype of T-cell leukemia. He was treated but experienced a relapse that led to extensive treatment including blood transfusions and a stem cell transplant.
Chatham-Kent has rallied around Ethan with dozens stepping up to be tested to become a stem cell match at various donor clinics.
A GoFundMe to support Ethan and his family is active for anyone who wants to donate.
Going forward, his mother said she plans on starting a foundation in Ethan’s name to help support others in similar medical situations.
Be the first to comment