In 2018, Sawyer Velting was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue. Only six months old at the time, Sawyer underwent 43 weeks of intensive chemotherapy, 28 days of radiation and six months of maintenance chemotherapy.
Even through all of this, the six-year-old has been described by family and medical staff as vibrant and spirited. To anyone who didn’t know him, they would never be able to tell the hardships he has endured.
In 2020, just before his second birthday, Sawyer completed his cancer treatment and was told that he was free of any evidence of disease.
Unfortunately, Sawyer’s cancer relapsed in July 2021, September 2023, and most recently, August 2024, resulting in frequent hospital admissions over the past six months.
In early 2024, Sawyer was continuing daily treatment and was immobile after suffering a stroke. While managing multiple infections and taking antibiotics, Sawyer required feeding tube insertion and stent replacement.
Sawyer’s father, Kaylen, was on caregiver leave and was due to return to work, but was unable to due to Sawyer’s frequent hospitalizations. At the same time, Sawyer’s mother, Ashley, was on maternity leave. The Veltings are currently a family of five with three young children who require childcare.
Although the Veltings have received financial support from their extended family, Sawyer’s parents are reluctant to continue relying on the support from their retired parents. According to Sawyer's mom, they have exhausted all available funding sources since his diagnosis five years ago, prompting them to create a GoFundMe page.
To help alleviate their financial burden, Community Key approved the Velting Family’s application in 2024 to assist with their housing payments.
From our most recent visit with the Velting Family in May, we know that Sawyer has recovered from his coma and is doing much better. He receives daily chemotherapy from his mother and his immune system is growing stronger.
Sawyer’s oncologist now comes to their home to test his blood so they don’t have to go to the hospital as frequently.
The Velting Family was excited to take their first trip out of Calgary since 2020 to their grandparents’ cabin in Southern Alberta.
We wish nothing but the best for the Velting family and Sawyer and thank all of our donors who was able to make this donation happen.
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