Relapse - 6 year old Matteo is fighting for his life AGAIN!

Hi, my name is Ciara Ramsden and I am Mamo (Irish for Grandma) to 6 year old Matteo. When Matteo was only two years old he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at BC Children's Hospital.

ALL is a fast growing, aggressive and life threatening blood cancer. Matteo fought this terrible disease with unmatched strength, courage and bravery.

Over the course of 2.5 years Matteo had HUNDREDS of chemotherapy treatments, was put under general anesthetic over 100 times for procedures including spinal taps and bone marrow biopsies. He has had 8 blood transfusions and often did chemo treatments that required over 16 days in hospital per month, at one time his bones were so weak from treatment that he broke his femur with a simple misstep. He spent 3 months in a body cast from his chest to his toes. He was so weakened he had to learn how to walk again. Through all of this and with his parents amazing love, Matteo has remained a happy, confidant, loving, intelligent, kind and caring little boy who loves to giggle, goof around, play outside and loves life! Most recently he started ice skating!

One and a half years ago we all celebrated and rang bells to the news that he was officially in remission, he had his final spinal and chemo treatment and got to have his chest port removed so he could start life as a healthy boy. He even had his Make a Wish at Disney World in October to Celebrate. He would only need regular checkups to ensure he remained in remission. 90% of children remain in remission for life.

Yesterday, after a routine 3 month cancer check up they discovered suspicious cells on a blood smear. He immediately had a bone biopsy and spinal tap that confirmed Matteo has relapsed and that 87% of his bone marrow is now Leukemia. (Three months ago he was still in remission, so this is very fast cancer growth)

Matteo is starting Chemo again tomorrow with even more agressive drugs and will likely lose all his hair within just 3 weeks. These drugs are going to make him very very sick. He has lots of leg and back pain right now and is already on morphine for pain. Matteo is confused and upset, not understanding why his cancer came back. Its hard enough for the adults to understand but he is only 6 years old.

The big fork in the road will be in 30 days when they will redo his bone biopsy after this initial Chemo induction. Depending on the result of that biopsy he may have to have a bone marrow transplant which is a road that no one wants to go down.

Right now little Matteo needs his incredible parents by his side 24/7 so that he has the love, endless cuddles and feeling of safety that only a parent can bring during this painful and scary relapse.

Ariane and Dano are are only in their twenties and have had a very sick child for 3 years. They work super hard to provide financially for Matteo. Ariane works as a cleaning lady and Dano works for an installation company. They desperately need financial support so they can be with their beautiful child in the hospital, care for him & spend as much time as possible together. Ariane is leaving her job immediately to be with Matteo full time.

We are all leaning into our collective communities to rally around this young family with prayers, love, food and money. None of us have any control over the horrible things that happen to us in life, all we can do is support each other through it. Every single penny donated will help them keep food on the table, pay rent and spend the much needed time with Matteo.

We will provide weekly updates on Matteo's progress. Please pray for Matteo.

and please share this GoFundMe.

Thank you - Mamo.