Chatham teen defies the odds as family prepares for long-awaited homecoming
Ethan Hunter is expected to return home in the coming days after spending the better part of two years in and out of hospitals in London and Toronto, where he became the first person in the world with T-cell lymphoma to respond to a new trial drug.
'It took longer than expected and the kid made history,' said his mother, Shara Hunter. 'So, first person in the world on this trial drug that it worked for T cell. So setting the bar high for everybody, but saving tons more children is Ethan's style.'
Ethan was diagnosed in 2022 with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare subtype of T-cell leukemia. He experienced a relapse that led to intensive treatment and isolation in hospital, where only his parents could visit and staff took extreme precautions due to his severely compromised immune system.
'His brother and sister haven't seen him since Christmas, so that's huge,' Shara said. 'We couldn't have visitors in Toronto. We were allowed two people like the parents and that's it. We had to mask near him. We had to keep everything clean because his neutrophils and white blood cells were zero.'
062025 - Cancer
Ethan's mother, Shara Hunter. (Christopher Campbell/CTV News London)
After being transferred from Toronto to London a week ago, Ethan was moved to outpatient care—marking the first real sign of a return to normalcy in nearly two years.
'We have a long road to go, but he's doing well,' said Shara. 'He got transferred a week ago yesterday from Toronto to London. And then he spent a few days in the hospital. Now he's outpatient, so we have very little time before coming home, as early as next week, maybe a couple weeks, but he's coming home. So in preparation for that, we are getting this house ready.'
Part of that preparation includes a complete makeover of Ethan's room to reduce allergens and bacteria that could pose a risk to his still-vulnerable immune system. Carpets have been pulled, new flooring put in and construction crews are installing baseboards and cleaning before the family's long-awaited reunion.
'It's a lot,' said Brett Traylor of BWT Renovations and Construction. 'And, it's very, it's very close to my heart as I'm a Shriner as well. So, kids definitely have a soft spot.'
'Next we'll be installing the baseboards, and then, just a nice little general clean and get the room back together,' he added.
Shara says the emotional weight of Ethan's return is difficult to put into words.
'I wish you all knew the incredible child and the journey that we've been through. I don't want you to experience it. Ethan has been a brave, brave boy. Now fighting, I believe, was my job. Ethan's journey was just not to give up.'
'Everything that could go wrong went wrong. Toronto doctors were stunned. Toronto doctors said, 'I don't understand your child, and this is all I do.' But that's Ethan for you. And here we are.'
She describes him as 'superhuman,' and says his recovery is already having a broader impact.
'He's defied the odds many, many, many, many, many times in the last ten months. This shouldn't have happened, but it did. Ethan is a superhuman. And we are going to celebrate that Ethan is saving many, many, many children after him going through the pain and suffering. So we're going to celebrate that.'
The celebration, Shara says, will happen right in their front yard.
'We're going to set up chairs here, and we're gonna have a potluck and celebrate and talk and enjoy all the birthdays and Easter and Christmases that Ethan got to miss.'
She's also planning a foundation in Ethan's name to advocate for families facing similar medical journeys.
'When I reflect on all of it, I'm a new person and I'm going big. I'm not done. I'm not done. My goal is to make sure everybody in this country knows my son's name. That's my goal. I'm going to start a foundation to help. I'm not going to give too many details, but there's a lot of gaps in this medical system and not medical per se. Avenues for families. There is a lot of help out there, but there is a lot that's missing.'
Although Ethan missed out on school milestones like prom and graduation, his mother says what matters most is that he's alive—and home.
'Graduation for school is not happening, but this is his graduation of life. So we're going to celebrate that.'
And while the family is still adjusting to what life after hospital will look like, one thing is already clear for Shara.
'I am relieved. Relieved to have some kind of normalcy of home coming home,' she said. 'Ethan rocked it. Ethan, nothing stops Ethan.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
30 minutes ago
- National Post
Ontario hospital says it will ‘immediately cease' use of dogs in heart research
By Investigative Journalism Bureau Article content After decades of secretly inducing heart attacks in dogs as part of cardiac research, St. Joseph's Hospital ended the practice on Monday in the aftermath of an Investigative Journalism Bureau (IJB) investigation. Article content In a public statement, the Lawson Research Institute at St. Joseph's announced it will 'immediately cease research studies involving dogs' following consultation with the province. Article content Article content 'We acknowledge that this will have a significant impact on the ground-breaking research that has resulted in major strides in cardiac care and treatment, and on the dedicated teams involved in this work,' the statement reads, adding 'the government of Ontario is an important partner in every aspect of our work.' Article content The story details clandestine experiments that force the animals into heart attacks lasting as long as three hours, according to internal study protocol documents reviewed by journalists and experts. Article content Article content 'I was deeply disturbed by last week's reports of inhumane medical research taking place on dogs at St. Joseph's Health Care London and immediately reached out to raise my concerns,' reads a post on X Monday afternoon from Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Article content 'I'm pleased that St. Joseph's has agreed to immediately stop this research. Our government will always act to ensure that any medical research is carried out in an ethical and humane manner.' Article content Article content In an interview, Ford called the research 'inhumane.' Article content Article content 'That's stepping over the line,' said Ford, who has a family dog at home and another six among his immediate family. Article content 'It can't happen here in Ontario and it won't happen. If I find any other universities or hospitals or research facilities doing that, I'm going to put an end to it immediately…We have to outlaw that in Ontario.' Article content Based on interviews with two whistleblowers as well as internal documents, images and video, the story details the surreptitious movement of dogs from a U.S. breeder into the hospital's receiving doors in covered cages and up to what some staff call the 'secret sixth floor.' Article content After the procedures, the dogs' hearts are analyzed using the same MRI and PET scanning machines used on human patients one floor below. Article content The puppies are eventually euthanized and their hearts removed for further study. After the dogs are killed, the whistleblowers say the carcasses are placed in garbage bags and placed inside barrels for removal.
Globe and Mail
40 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Massage Therapists Ditch Traditional Spas for Freedom
"Logo" UK massage therapists are leaving traditional spas behind for Massages Me, a wellness marketplace offering £50 - £80/hour earnings, flexible schedules, and global opportunities for independent professionals. The wellness industry in the UK is experiencing a quiet revolution. Massage therapists, once confined to traditional spas and restricted pay scales, are embracing a new era of independence, flexibility, and significantly higher earnings - thanks to Massages Me, the innovative wellness marketplace redefining how professionals connect with clients. For years, massage therapists in London could expect to earn just £12 - £18 per hour working in a spa setting, with rigid schedules and limited career growth. Today, through Massages Me, those same professionals are earning between £50 - £80 per hour, providing mobile massage services directly to clients in their homes, hotels, or workplaces. From London to the World Following its remarkable success in the UK, Massages Me has announced its global expansion via opening up opportunities for massage therapists in major cities worldwide, including Sydney, New York, Dubai, and Dublin. The platform offers a gig economy model tailored for wellness entrepreneurs: Set your own rates Control your schedule Retain 85–90% of your earnings Deliver services on your terms Part-time therapists on the platform typically earn £500 - £800 per month, while full-time practitioners achieve impressive annual incomes of £40,000 - 60,000+. A Shift Towards Spa Alternatives The traditional spa model, while offering a steady stream of clients, often leaves therapists with limited autonomy and modest earnings. By contrast, Massages Me empowers self-employed therapists to build their personal brand, expand their client base, and enjoy the lifestyle benefits of work flexibility. Clients, too, benefit from this model, enjoying convenient, personalised treatments at home or on the go - ideal for busy urban lifestyles. The Future of the Wellness Workforce The success of Massages Me in London has set the stage for a broader transformation of the wellness workforce. With the platform's international rollout, thousands of therapists worldwide now have the tools to become independent wellness professionals, free from the constraints of traditional employment. 'Therapists are realising they don't have to settle for low spa wages and long shifts,' said a Massages Me spokesperson. 'We give them the freedom to work when, where, and how they want - while keeping the majority of their earnings.' Join the Movement Massage therapists interested in joining Massages Me can sign up through the platform's official websites: With wellness demand rising worldwide, now is the perfect time for therapists to take control of their careers, enhance their income, and embrace the freedom of self-employment. About Massages Me: Founded in the United Kingdom, Massages Me is a leading wellness platform connecting clients with qualified massage therapists for mobile massage services at home, in hotels, or workplaces. Designed to support self-employed therapists, the platform enables professionals to set their own rates, manage their schedules, and retain up to 90% of their earnings. With a strong presence in London and rapid expansion into major global cities, Massages Me is empowering the next generation of wellness entrepreneurs to build thriving independent businesses. Website:
CBC
40 minutes ago
- CBC
Albertans can sign up for fall COVID-19 shot but cost still unknown
Social Sharing Albertans can now sign up to get the next COVID-19 vaccination in the fall but the province won't yet say how much the shot will cost. As of Monday, residents can pre-order the COVID-19 shot by registering online on the Alberta vaccine booking system site. Most Albertans who want the shot will be charged for the vaccination, whereas it was previously free. The government says it will still cover people living in care homes, those receiving home care, people on social programs such as the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and immunocompromised individuals. The ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services is not yet saying how much it will cost everyone else. "The fall immunization plan is being finalized, and details — including the updated vaccination schedule, exact locations, and administrative fee for COVID-19 vaccines — will be available soon," ministry spokesperson Maddison McKee said in a statement Monday. The province previously estimated it would cost about $110 per dose. Vaccinations will begin in October at public health or large immunization clinics, a change from throughout the pandemic when they were available at pharmacies. Some have criticized the province's policy, including former chief medical officer of health Dr. James Talbot. "It's a terrible policy, and it's going to cost lives and it's going to put the healthcare system under stress," said Talbot, who is now an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta's school of public health. "A lot of Albertans aren't going to be able to get coverage this year. And we'll end up paying for them going to the hospital or worse, and we'll end up paying for years afterwards for their long COVID." Wasted doses a 'complete red herring' The government of Alberta announced the policy changes earlier this summer, saying more than a million vaccines — or 54 per cent of Alberta's order — were wasted in the 2023-24 respiratory virus season, meaning about $135 million worth of doses were wasted. Talbot vehemently disagrees with the province's estimates. "It's a complete red herring, they've provided no evidence for this," Talbot said in an interview with CBC News Monday. He said the province was responsible for setting the rules on when vaccines are opened and used. "So blaming pharmacies or blaming Albertans for a situation that they themselves created makes absolutely no sense." The Alberta Federation of Labour said it opposes the new policies, insisting the government should continue covering people working in crowded and high-risk areas, like health care and education. "From our perspective, this is a provincial government thumbing its nose at workplace health and safety," president Gil McGowan said Monday. "And also the health of people working in places like health-care facilities and education facilities." Pharmacies not included Brittany Zelmer, president of the Alberta Pharmacists' Association, said it's concerning that vaccinations will only be offered at public health centres and not at pharmacies. "We really do touch every corner of the province and have the ability to be accessible not only with our hours but also in our location," Zelmer said. "So I think this decision does place barriers in receiving the vaccine."
