Help Little Benny Beat Leukemia

              On February 17th Robby and Miranda Grunerud were delivered perhaps the most devastating news any parent could possibly hear. Their youngest son Benny, all but 2.5 years old, was diagnosed with leukemia.  We all know raising a family is difficult enough, now Robby and Miranda face time away from work, lost income, and regular trips into the city so Benny can receive treatment.  Any support will go along way in alleviating some of the pressures the family will face through this difficult journey.

Benny’s Story

                Originally Robby and Miranda had booked a doctor’s appointment for Benny to look at some small pin size red and purple spots on his stomach.  The rash had only been present for a short time.  The day before their appointment, Benny started to show bruising on his legs and arms.  At the appointment, the doctor expressed concern and sent Benny and the family to pediatric emergency in Saskatoon.  It was there they found out the devastating news.  The emergency physicians found serious abnormalities in Benny’s blood work.  The doctors informed the family that Benny had leukemia.

                Benny was admitted to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.  Immediately they conducted a bone marrow biopsy to determine the type of leukemia Benny had.  They placed Benny under with anesthesia to conduct the biopsy and doctors also collected some fluid around his spine in an attempt to identify everywhere the cancer was located.  While asleep for the biopsy, Benny was administered his first small dose of chemotherapy.

                When the results of the biopsy came back the doctors told Robby and Miranda that Benny had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).  Worse yet, they had found cancer in his spinal fluid.  The diagnosis means that Benny is considered high risk.  Chemotherapy treatments began shortly after.

                As shared by Robby, the doctors have developed a plan for treatment.  Robby and Miranda have been informed that the first 6 months are going to be the most difficult, for both Benny and the family.  From there, the treatments will continue over the next 3 years.

                The family is of course devastated by the diagnosis.  Instead of spending this time to help Benny learn his ABC’s, to count, to skate, to ride his bike, they will instead hold their breath while Benny begins the fight for his life.  Robby and Miranda say they’re ready to fight for their little Benny.  They ask everyone to pray for their little man.

               Thank you for your prayers, love and support.  Become part of #BennysBattalion and help the Gruneruds beat ALL.