Hudson Anderson from Kamloops is at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver fighting bone cancer.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Alicia Anderson

A Kamloops boy fighting for his life against cancer is receiving a continuous outpouring of gifts and words of support from his community and school, and it is making all the difference. 

Hudson Anderson, 10, was diagnosed with bone cancer in October, and he and his parents have been at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver since.

“The support has been never ending,” his mom Alicia Anderson said. “We received cards, messages and photos from every student and teacher at his school. They did a popcorn fundraiser for us and raised over $1,500.” 

While the family is struggling to help their son get through difficult treatments that leave him tired and sick, they are also missing their young daughter who is staying home with family, and her visits are limited by winter highway conditions, and financial strain. 

Alicia said having a supportive lifeline to her community back home takes a lot of the stress off.

“The community never stops with their positive messages and gifts like Lego, advent calendars and books,” Alicia said. “It all makes Hudson smile and gives him lots of activities to do. It's been wonderful.” 

The Anderson family learned Hudson has osteosarcoma early in October, a cancer that originates in the bone-forming cells.

They checked into Ronald McDonald house on Oct. 6, to get tests done on a mass on Hudson’s hip and learned their son’s cancer had spread throughout his hips, pelvis, lower back and femurs.

Due to the gravity of the situation, Alicia’s husband quit his trucking job and she's holding off on her studies. The couple is living off a caregiver benefit, which isn’t much and doesn’t cover medical bills.

READ MORE: Kamloops family needs support as young son fights bone cancer

Hudson and his parents will not be coming home for Christmas this year, in fact, Hudson won’t be able to come home until May, as he needs to stay close to the medical team.

“We will be admitted and receiving chemo actively over the holidays,” Alicia said. “We already decided this Christmas was not going to be like every other and there is no point in delaying his chemotherapy.”

Kamloops resident Hudson Anderson before his bone cancer diagnosis.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Alicia Anderson

Hudson will get his next set of scans done at the beginning of the New Year, after completing his first six rounds of chemotherapy. 

“He was doing well at first but the last rounds of chemo really hit him hard,” Alicia said. “He contracted a bacteria that left him very sick for the last week. He has lost quite a bit of weight but he keeps trying every day.”

Alicia said she recently received an email from her son’s schoolteacher.

“His teacher said Hudson’s desk is still there with his name on it and everyone sees it every day and is waiting for day Hudson will return to class.”

READ MORE: How Royal Inland Hospital is weathering nursing shortages

Anderson describes her son as kind, gentle and caring, a "friend to all those who meet him, to animals, bugs and all living things.” He loves video games, time in the outdoors, his school friends and his family.

“He never complains,” she said. "He wakes up every day with a smile on his face and it is incredible.” 

Hudson loves cards and letters so anyone interested can send him one at Ronald McDonald House, 4567 Heather Street, Vancouver B.C., V5Z 0C9.

Go here to make a financial donation to the family.

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