A Chatham teen has been given a hero’s welcome for his return home following a three-year battle with a rare form of cancer.
Ethan Hunter celebrated his homecoming from the hospital on Tuesday and was greeted by friends and family, along with Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, members of the Chatham-Kent Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and CK Fire and Rescue.
All in attendance held signs and cheered in support of the 17-year-old who was first diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma T-cell leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, back in August 2022.
Following his diagnosis, Ethan has been in and out of London and Toronto hospitals for extensive treatment that included blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant. However, Ethan has become the first person in the world with T-cell lymphoma to respond to a new trial drug.
His cancer is now in remission.
Shara Hunter, Ethan’s mother, said her son will still have to attend weekly appointments and undergo possible knee surgery due to the impact of the cancer on his bones. However, she couldn’t be happier to have him home.
“A lot got taken from him in the last three years, so I need to help him get back on track,” she said. “It’s not going to be back on track as most people know, but any little piece I can give him to create a new life, [I plan to].
“He’s still got a journey.”
In preparation for his return home to Chatham, Shara said Ethan’s bedroom has been fully renovated with new flooring to reduce the possibility of bacteria affecting his weakened immune system.
“I don’t have money for an elevator up the stairs, so we will have to help him,” she said. “But we’ll manage, and if not, I’ll find a way.”
A GoFundMe page in support of Ethan and his family remains active for those who still wish to donate. The page can be found by clicking here.
Shara said, going forward, she intends to start a foundation in her son’s name to help support others in similar medical situations.
