The community is rallying around a young Vernon boy battling Stage 4 cancer.
Six-year-old Chase Annecchini was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2020.
During a typical summer adventure with his father and brothers, Chase complained that his leg was sore and he was cold. Two days later, he was admitted to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.
That began a two-year journey of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants.
The peak of Chase’s treatments fell during the COVID lockdown, so they were not able to stay at Ronald McDonald House, and single dad Tony, who was self-employed with no extended benefits, was forced to close his business so he could drive to and from Vancouver every week.
Meanwhile, he also had to care for three other sons: Daniel, 18, Cole, 12, and Tyson, 6.
Chase’s treatments had appeared to be working; he was feeling better and eventually came home. But, he was readying to start school when his jaw began to swell.
Scans confirmed the progression of a new tumour in his jaw and right cheek.
Chase was given a less than 3% chance of survival, and doctors arranged for hospice care at Canuck House.
But, despite the odds stacked against him, the family decided on an aggressive chemo treatment and 20 rounds of radiation.
“Through all of this, Chase has the most remarkable smile and has been able to keep his spirits up,” say organizers of a fundraiser for the family.
