When every moment matters
When Serena thinks about her son Hunter, she remembers a little boy who brought joy wherever he went.
“He was just a very lovable boy,” she said. “He was always happy.”
Hunter loved giving high fives and fist bumps, blowing kisses, and signing “I love you.” Even during long hospital stays, he found ways to connect with the people caring for him. The nurses adored him.
These moments of connection would become especially meaningful in the months ahead.
In January 2025, when Hunter was just two years old, what seemed like a lingering flu turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.
After multiple medical appointments, Serena brought him to the emergency department in Nanaimo, where an MRI revealed a large mass on his brain. Within hours, Hunter was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital.
Doctors quickly determined that he needed surgery. Although much of the tumour was removed, Hunter suffered a major stroke afterward and lost movement on the left side of his body. The family later learned he had a rare and aggressive childhood cancer.
Serena and her husband, Terry, decided to pursue treatment, hoping for more time with their little boy. But within weeks, the tumour had returned. Faced with an impossible decision, they chose to focus on Hunter’s comfort and quality of life.
For months, Serena, Terry, and their eldest child Nataliya remained close to Hunter in Vancouver so they could be together as a family.
At the same time, the realities of everyday life continued. Rent still had to be paid. Bills kept arriving. There were food costs, travel expenses, and time away from work. Serena was also managing the estate of her mother, who had passed away unexpectedly only months earlier.
“It’s an enormous mental load,” Serena said. “You’re constantly juggling care for your sick child, other kids, bills, and there’s so much uncertainty.”
That’s when our Bear Essentials program became a crucial support.
Serena and Terry received support for food, travel, and other expenses while the family remained close to Hunter.
“It meant we could focus on Hunter and his comfort rather than worrying about everything else. It was one less thing to have on your mind.”
Hunter passed away on April 29, 2025, one day before Nataliya’s birthday.
Today, Serena and her family continue to honour Hunter’s memory by supporting childhood cancer research, helping families facing similar journeys, and giving back to the organizations that cared for him.
One tradition is especially meaningful. Hunter loved rocks, and whenever the family finds one shaped like a heart, they place it on his grave.
Serena’s story is a reminder that no family should have to face a child’s serious illness or loss alone. While her family endured an unthinkable journey, donor-supported programs like Bear Essentials helped ease some of the financial stress along the way, allowing them to focus on what mattered most: being together.
Thanks to the generosity of our community, families across Vancouver Island can access support when they need it most, knowing they don’t have to navigate their hardest days on their own.
Donate today and help Island families like Serena’s.
