Latest news with #EthanHunter
CTV News
23-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘Welcome home Ethan': Chatham teen makes much anticipated return home
A local teen, who's cancer is now in remission, returned home to a surprise welcome from friends and family. A Chatham teen made his long-awaited return home on Tuesday afternoon after a historic fight against cancer. Arriving with a police escort, Ethan Hunter, 17, was greeted by dozens of friends and family members who had come to celebrate the teen's heroics. Ethan Hunter returns home Ethan Hunter returned to his home, greeted by family, friends, and supporters in Chatham, Ont. on July 22, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Hunter's homecoming follows more than two years in and out of hospitals in Toronto and London after being diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma, a rare subtype of T-cell leukemia, in 2022. 'Not everybody is, I don't even want to use the word lucky, because it's not luck, it's people,' said Shara Hunter, Ethan's mom. 'Ethan fought this far; Ethan wanted to come home. God loves him.' Ethan Hunter returns home Ethan Hunter returned to his home, greeted by family, friends, and supporters in Chatham, Ont. on July 22, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) As the teen approached the home, signs reading 'Welcome Home Ethan' were hoisted high into the air. Standing by to greet Ethan was Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, and representatives from the OPP, Chatham-Kent Police Service and Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue. When asked if he was happy to be home, a quiet Hunter nodded. Ethan Hunter returns home Ethan Hunter returned to his home, greeted by family, friends, and supporters in Chatham, Ont. on July 22, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) 'I can't even begin to describe the team that went into, not just today, the last three years, since Toronto and relapse. It's been an incredible outpouring of prayers,' said Shara. 'So very, very grateful for every single person.' Hunter's recovery turned for the better when he became the first person in the world with T-cell lymphoma to respond to a new trial drug. Ahead of Hunter's return home, his room received a makeover to reduce the risk of allergens and bacteria that could create a risk for his still-vulnerable immune system. Rather than dwell on the past, the family is looking forward to making memories and finding a return to normalcy. Ethan Hunter returns home Ethan Hunter returned to his home, greeted by family, friends, and supporters in Chatham, Ont. on July 22, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) - With files from CTV's Chris Campbell.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Teen survivor goes home
Windsor Watch A miraculous turnaround for teen Ethan Hunter, who was given 6 weeks to live last year, now gets to come home. CTV Windsor's Chris Campbell has details.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Chatham teen defies the odds as family prepares for long-awaited homecoming
A Chatham family is preparing to welcome home their 17-year-old son after a grueling and groundbreaking battle with a rare and aggressive cancer. 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.'
