The day Bonnie and Brandan鈥檚 lives were flipped upside down started like any other. They went on a morning stroll with their two children, India and Moses. But India, who was fifteen months old at the time, was more tired than usual. As the day went on, she developed a high fever and intense chills. Knowing something wasn鈥檛 right, Bonnie brought her to .
Doctors immediately noticed India鈥檚 skin colouring was off and ordered blood work 鈥� which revealed that her white blood cell count was dangerously low. Shortly after, Bonnie and Brandan鈥檚 worst fears came true: India was diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
India quickly started chemotherapy, but after several weeks, she wasn鈥檛 responding to the treatment. Doctors determined that she would need to endure an additional six months of intensive chemotherapy to treat what had become a high-risk leukemia.
That spring was extremely challenging for the family 鈥� especially as they weren鈥檛 able to see many of their family and friends due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淗aving people visiting in the hospital was my lifeline,鈥� Bonnie said. 鈥淲hen that went away, it was really intense because you realize how much you rely on other people鈥檚 support during these times.鈥�
Still, the family pushed through their darkest moments with extraordinary strength. India had her last round of chemotherapy in June 2020 and today, the soon-to-be three-year-old is in the maintenance phase of treatment.
Although India鈥檚 journey has been remarkable, it鈥檚 far from over. She will continue to visit BC Children鈥檚 until she transitions into adult care. There is also a possibility she may develop long-term negative effects from treatments used to heal her 鈥� a risk that 75 per cent of children who survive cancer currently face.
At , world-leading experts are working relentlessly to improve the lives of children like India 鈥� but doing so is a huge undertaking. That鈥檚 where BC Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation comes in. As the hospital鈥檚 fundraising arm, the Foundation partners with people, companies, schools and more to fund the groundbreaking research and technology needed to create lasting change.
One of the Foundation鈥檚 signature fundraising initiatives 鈥� 鈥� is quickly approaching. For the entire month of May, supporters can make an online donation and then proudly wear their jeans to show others what they stand for: helping kids get out of their hospital gown and back into their jeans.
By taking part, supporters will join companies and schools from across the province to help conquer childhood illnesses. All donations made by schools in May will be matched by Odlum Brown Limited, an independent, full-service investment firm (up to $30,000). The month-long campaign will also feature online contests sponsored by the official Denim Partner Mavi Jeans.
Supporters can join the #JeanUp movement by making a donation at and by wearing your jeans at home and tagging @bcchf on social media.