A Grade 10 student at St. Patrick's High School is heading to Texas for brain tumour treatment.
Ansley Stewart, 15, of Sarnia was originally diagnosed when she was eight years old and underwent a 21 hour tumour resection surgery, but because of the tumour's location, removal was not possible and she underwent two rounds of chemotherapy instead.
After three years in remission, her dad Scott says they learned in September that the tumour had grown significantly.
He says their best option now, is to fight the tumour with Proton Radiation Therapy -- a treatment that's currently only offered in the United States.
"The treatment and hospital costs are being covered by the ministry," said Stewart. "Other than that everything else is out of pocket. Living expenses for roughly two months, our food... everything."
He said his wife Michelle -- a part time employee at Lambton College with no benefits or paid leave -- will be with Ansley while she receives daily outpatient treatment at MD Anderson Clinic in Houston.
While they're away, Scott says he will be in Sarnia caring for their two other children and working to support their expenses here and in Texas.
The treatment is expected to take six to eight weeks.
"She's had no complaints since we found this news out again," said Stewart, of his daughter. "She hasn't really said a whole lot in regards to being scared yet or really what's next. She's one strong kid."
It's hoped a GoFundMe page, set up by Michelle Stewart's coworkers, will raise money to help alleviate financial pressures on the family.
To access it, click here.
