École primaire Pierre-De-Coubertin

Joey is an extraordinary 9-year-old boy who thrives in social settings, embodying the essence of a social butterfly. Everyone who encounters Joey is immediately drawn to his vibrant spirit. He takes pleasure in reading, constructing with Legos, and spending time with his friends. Joey is a competitive figure skater who achieved a ranking among the top 10 skaters under the age of 9 in Quebec in 2025. Additionally, he participates in synchronized skating where he and his team stood on the podium a few times as well.  He cherishes the time spent with his teammates and coaches.

Earlier this year, his parents observed a decline in Joey's energy levels, attributing it to his rigorous skating schedule. On May 10th, he began experiencing pain in his legs that hindered his ability to walk, accompanied by severe stomach pains, not being able to be in school or to figure skate, prompting his parents to suspect a more serious issue.

A series of visits to pediatricians culminated in a trip to the emergency room and hospitalization, where he was diagnosed with gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach. After a few weeks of follow-up appointments, medication for 4 weeks, multiple blood tests, ultrasounds, and x-rays, he showed slight improvement.

At the beginning of July, Joey felt good enough to want to go back on the ice. However, after 2 consecutive days of training, he had excruciating pain in his hips and groin which led them back to his pediatrician. Upon reviewing the results from his emergency visit, the pediatrician expressed concern over Joey's blood test results and recommended another blood test and x-ray. Following the receipt of these results on July 8th , he urgently referred Joey to the hematology/oncology department at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. On July 11th Joey met with the hematologist oncologist, who conducted further bloodwork. Later that day, the findings indicated unfavorable markers in his blood, leading to the scheduling of a bone marrow biopsy on July 17th. In the days leading up to the biopsy, Joey underwent additional blood tests. On the evening of the biopsy, the oncologist confirmed that Joey had been diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). That same evening, he was admitted to the hospital, due to a fever, caused by a bacteria in his blood, where he spent the first 13 days of his treatment.

The support his family received during this time was remarkable, with nurses frequently checking in on him and inquiring about how his parents were coping. Volunteers from Child Life visited to provide him with Legos to build, play board games and card games, or to simply sit with him, allowing his parents some rest. The social worker is preparing Joey's family and ensuring they are ready for any assistance they may require over the next two years.

Joey has just completed the first phase of his treatment, known as the induction phase, and is doing well. Induction therapy represents the initial, intensive stage of leukemia treatment aimed at swiftly eradicating leukemia cells and achieving complete remission, which indicates that the disease is no longer detectable in the blood and bone marrow. The objective is to restore normal blood cell counts, primarily achieved through chemotherapy. Currently, Joey is in the consolidation phase of his treatment, which involves taking daily chemotherapy medication at home along with additional daily medications. He is still required to visit the hospital twice a week for blood tests, bone marrow biopsies and weekly lumbar punctures.

Joey is unable to return to school until March; however, he accompanied his brother & sister on their first day of school, allowing him to see many of his friends and beloved staff at his school. The staff at PDC have been incredibly supportive, with teachers offering assistance to his siblings with their schoolwork and some even becoming pen pals with Joey. The outpouring of love and support from students, parents, and staff at the school has been remarkable. His parents and siblings are truly grateful for all the kindness and support they have received.

The fight is not over; it has just begun.  Although he has a long road ahead of him, he is determined to come back stronger than before.