Saphire Mitchell

Saphire has been diagnosed with Craniopharyngioma. A Craniopharyngioma is a rare, benign brain tumor that typically develops near the pituitary gland. Saphire spent some time in Vancouver where surgery was performed to remove most of the tumor, but not all. Anticipated side effects of the surgery are going to be on her hormone production and regulation. This is treatable but it will mean a lifetime of consulting with an endocrinologist and medications. There is a ton still to be determined and timelines for all of this are not certain yet. The next big step for Saphire and her family will be 5 weeks of Proton Therapy in Seattle to help reduce the size of the tumor without damaging surrounding tissue.

Gavin Warman

Gavin had been battling an illness that doctors initially diagnosed as the flu, which later developed into pneumonia. Gavin’s symptoms were not improving, after further tests, Gavin was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Gavin and his family will be spending most of their time at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. Their family has had to shuffle their lives, jobs and will be living in Vancouver as well as travelling back and forth from Powell River. Gavin started treatment on March 14th, and has a long journey ahead of him.