Petawawa, Ont. restaurant raising money to send local family to Boston for cancer treatment
A restaurant in Petawawa, Ont. has started taking donations to help fund a family's trip to Boston, where their 9-year-old son will receive treatment for brain cancer.
Kayden Dussault was diagnosed with a germ cell brain tumour at the end of August, and just finished five months of chemotherapy at CHEO.
"We're onto the next stage of his journey which is the radiation and proton therapy which takes place in Boston, Massachusetts," says Kayden's father Matt Dussault.
"We've seen a lot of articles and the proton therapy in Boston has a very good outcome. There was actually another child from the Gatineau area that had the same cancer as Kayden and went to Boston, and is in recovery now."
The radiation and proton therapy in Boston will be covered by OHIP, at a cost of between $300,000 to $800,000. What won't be covered is the family's expenses to get to and stay in Boston. At a low estimate, Dussault estimates the six to eight week trip will cost the family at least $6,000 in travel, accommodations, food, and incidentals.
"We just want to make sure that the family is taken care of back home and while we're other there as well," Dussault tells CTV News Ottawa. "And not having to worry if Kayden needs something special or if we're going to need something to survive while we're down there."
Upon hearing the news, friend and Petawawa restaurant owner, Mark Clostre, decided he wanted to help the family cover the expenses by collecting donations.
"Our goal is just to get awareness, help out Matt and his family and Kayden, and raise a little bit of money," says Clostre.
Clostre owns Valley Smokehouse, a small takeout restaurant located inside the Ultramar gas station on Petawawa Boulevard. Inside the restaurant, you can find bumper stickers sporting Kayden's nickname "#LittleRavenKayden" and a donation jar filling up with bills.
Valley Smokehouse has also set up a donation tab on their Valley Eats delivery page and an email to send donation transfers to; valleysmokehousepetawawa@gmail.com. And despite the tough times restaurants have been through over the past two years, Clostre has also pledged to give 25 per cent of his total sales to the Dussault family over the next four weeks.
"If I could I'd give 100 per cent, but like you said with all the times that restaurants are going through, luckily we don't have a dine in so we're always takeout," says Clostre.
In the few days since the restaurant has started collecting donations, they've gathered about $2,000.
Kayden hasn't travelled back to Petawawa since his diagnosis in August, and has since been living in Gatineau with his mother. It's been tough on Dussault and his family, but he is optimistic that once the family gets to Boston, Kayden will come back cancer free.
"Just being a small community and seeing the love and support that is happening, I truly can't find the words to say," says Dussault. "I can say thank you a thousand times."
"Petawawa is the best community that anyone could ever live in," adds Clostre. "The amount of support here and help you get is just out of this world."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.