Caelan Neufeld, 3, from Kelowna is in hospital with tumours on his brain and brain stem.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Ciara Toth

A three-year-old Kelowna boy is at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with his family after multiple tumours were recently found on his brain and brain stem.

Caelan Neufeld's aunt Ciara Toth is the spokesperson for the family and is doing everything she can to support her nephew from her home in Osoyoos.

“I'm devastated for him, he’s a bright, cheerful kid, a free energetic spirit always on the go,” she said. “It’s so hard to hear that a young boy has to go through this and not know the outcome.”

Caelan had surgery yesterday, July 24, to remove a large tumour without complications, but the pathology of the tumours has not been determined yet. The family is waiting for the results of the biopsy to find out what the next treatment steps will be.

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Toth said the diagnosis came as a shock.

Over a few weeks, he was repeatedly taken to emergency at Kelowna General Hospital after uncontrollably and inexplicably throwing up. Several tests including bloodwork and X-rays were done, but the cause could not initially be determined. When the boy’s symptoms continued to get worse, the tumours were discovered and the family was sent to hospital in Vancouver.

When asked how the family is coping, Toth said her sister is a “brick wall for her son.”

“She’s putting on a brave face for my nephew, my mom has been with her the whole time, there is tons of support.”

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Toth said with multiple tumours on Caelan’s brain there will be unforeseen costs coming.

She wants to help her sister focus on the health crisis without stressing about bills. She is appealing to public for donations so her sister and sister’s fiancé can take time of work and be with Caelan as they navigate the health crisis without being stressed about paying bills.

“My sister has to take off work indefinitely and her fiancé and mom have taken off work,” Toth said. “My sister works a generic job that doesn’t pay much. Everything is on hold and it’s all about her kid. It’s so hard to sit on the sidelines feeling like I can’t help.

“For me this is devastating, I’ve taken it hard, but around Caelan, we’re all being very strong.”

Go here to donate to the family.

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