At a time when most 11-year-olds are relishing the sound of the school bell, eager to escape the classroom for the freedom and joy of the great outdoors in spring, Aidan Reil is fighting for his life.
The Belleville boy, who has many family members in Orillia, was diagnosed with brain cancer after seizures shook his life and sent him on a painful and arduous journey that began in the fall of 2015.
Since then, there have been many ups and downs. Initially, doctors thought he had cortical dysplasia, but when the seizures continued, more tests followed and, over time, it was revealed he had Gliomatosis Cerebri, a Stage 3, inoperable brain tumour.
He has endured multiple regimens of treatments and has spent more time in hospitals, mostly Sick Kids in Toronto, than at home.
For a while, it looked like he could be a good candidate for a trial drug that offered a glimmer of hope. However, last week, on May 19, an MRI revealed the tumour had grown four times its original size; it was now pushing on the other side of his brain.
In a Facebook post following that brutal discovery, Aidan’s dad, Wayne, said the growth means “the trial is out of the question, as taking the drug at this point will kill him due to swelling. There are no other options left at this point. We are doing what we can to make him as comfortable as we can. That’s all. We need our time together now.”
Aidan’s journey has been painful with brief peaks followed by deep and devastating valleys. As his parents stood by his side and hoped and prayed, their bills did not stop even as they were unable to work.
Over the months that has turned into years, friends and family have supported them. That assistance is needed more now than ever, says Virginia Reil-Williams. The Orillia woman is Wayne’s cousin. She said the “majority of our family was born and raised in Orillia and remain” here.
With that in mind, she is hoping people support a pair of fundraising walks, being organized by Cathy Totten, to show support for Aidan and his family.
On Monday, May 28 and Monday, June 4, Reil-Williams will lead a walk from the skate park to Tudhope Park and back. The walks will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Reil-Williams is seeking a minimum of $10 donation per person. She will also have a card available for anyone who wants to sign it “so Aidan and his family can see how much support and love there is for them from Orillia.”
She says no registration is required and urges people to come to the park to support the family. “Please try to make it to at least one of these events and help Aidan get to spend what time he has left here on earth with his mom, dad and family.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up to support the family: https://www.gofundme.com/vw2j5-aidans-journey
