Leo’s ongoing battle Ewing’s Sarcoma #LeoStrong

This GoFundMe is for my nephew Leo Larocque, and his fight against Ewing's Sarcoma. In 2018, Leo was only 8, about to be 9, and was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma, in his lower left fibula. He underwent 14 rounds of high-dose chemotherapy, and lost his lower left leg to amputation, in order to live & hopefully never face cancer again. He never lost his optimism, hope, or determination. Leo kept on playing the sport he loved most-football! He put his heart and soul into each practice and every game! Leo remained cancer free for the past 4.5 years, and was doing incredible. He finished up his last year of junior football in October 2022.

On November 22, 2022 Leo's routine post-cancer scans were clear, and our whole family was thrilled. Then, only 3 weeks later, my sister Heather noticed a slight lump in Leo's right shoulder, as he was changing into a shirt. Immediately my sister and brother-in-law felt overwhelming fear, and contacted Leo's team at MassGeneral in Boston. They then began the journey to finding what this lump, that appeared out of nowhere, & in only 3 weeks time, could possibly be. After an MRI & biopsy, the devastating news was delivered on 1/9/23. Leo's Ewing's Sarcoma was back, and he had to begin his 2nd battle with this evil, relentless beast.

After a year’s worth of chemo, radiation, an invasive shoulder surgery, and a lot of fighting, Leo was declared cancer free again, and was able to stop chemo in early December 2023. However, during his scans on January 8, 2024, a small 1 cm abnormality was discovered. Out of precaution, an MRI & needle biopsy was performed on January 19, 2024…. Sadly, the results were not what we had prayed desperately for…On Monday, January 22, 2024, the scan results came back that the small spot was positive for Ewing’s Sarcoma. Now, after less than 2 months of being off treatment, when life was just beginning to feel like it was shifting back into normality, Leo & his family will have to fight AGAIN….

Seeing them endure this twice before, I have seen firsthand the mental, emotional, and financial toll it took on my sister's family. It changed their lives completely, and the effects of the traumatic journey they endured, were lasting, and continue to burden them heavily. No child should have to go through this hell, let alone our sweet, smart, kind-hearted, amazing Leo, and now he must go through it again.

We ask for you to please keep Leo, his family, and his difficult journey ahead in your thoughts, hearts, and prayers. If you are able to make even a small donation to help Leo and his family during this tough time, it would be so greatly appreciated, and it truly helps them tremendously! My sister Heather (Leo’s mom) will continue to update you all as we go! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. #LeoStrong #EwingsSarcomaAwareness #FightLikeLeo