Toxic Coral Poisons Gatineau Family

When Jason Laframboise, 31, was setting up a new aquarium in his family home on Sunday, he unknowingly transferred an extremely toxic Zoanthid coral into the tank, which quickly released toxins into the air. 

Within minutes, Jason's family including his five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, his wife, Cassandra Findlay, who is six months pregnant, as well as his sister, brother-in-law and their 16-month old son, started to experience severe breathing problems, coughing and wheezing. After contacting poison control which told them to immediately evacuate the home and go to the hospital, the family learned that they had been exposed to a substance called palytoxin, which could cause symptoms from vomiting and seizures to respiratory failure resulting in death. 

The family is lucky to be alive.


The family is currently undergoing blood testing and various medical tests to assess the toxin's damage, particularly to the couple's unborn child.  The house is currently uninhabitable and the family does not have access to any of their possessions or vital documents.  A generous friend and neighbour has offered to open up her home for them to stay while experts are able to make a proper assessment and determine whether the home can be decontaminated and whether or not their possessions can be saved. At this point, the family is receiving help from family and friends, but is still in dire need of assistance to keep up with expenses. 

We are asking for donations on behalf this family. Jason, who is a construction worker and Cassandra who runs a home daycare, are both unable work or return home and everyone involved is extremely concerned for their health. The family has been left with nothing and are in dire straits from what seemed like a completely harmless, common household coral.

You can read the CBC article below, as well as an Global article which speaks to how deadly these corals can be. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/toxic-coral-blamed-for-sickening-gatineau-family-1.4633810 

https://globalnews.ca/news/4167774/toxic-coral-aquarium/ 

It is very difficult to estimate costs at this point... the family may still lose their home and so much more... Thank you all so so much - anything you can give would be greatly appreciated!