

My niece Charlotte is a six month old, smart and beautiful baby girl. She has just recently been diagnosed with a condition called







Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).HLH is a rare and potentially fatal disease of normal but overactive histiocytes and lymphocytes that commonly appears during infancy. This precious baby has been doing her best to fight back and stay alive with the support of her amazing parents and extended family .My brother Billy and his wife Tamara, have been by her side every second asking questions and making impossible decisions to help her get well again. As a parent myself, I can only imagine how heart crushing, emotionally and physically draining it is to watch your only child suffer like she is.Charlotte has been at SickKids Hospital in Toronto since July 1st enduring many tests such as x-rays, MRI's and multiple daily blood tests during the day and night. She's had a bone marrow biopsy and multiple lumbar punctures, some with chemotherapy injected into her spinal fluid. She is now awaiting results from genetic testing that will take weeks to come back. The above procedures are only a small percentage of what Charlotte will have to endure during this process.Her team of Doctor's are currently working to find out if her HLH is primary or secondary. What we do know is that her liver, spleen and lungs are inflamed. She's had a pretty consistent high grade fever the entire time she's been at the hospital. Doctor's have had her on several drugs since Charlotte first arrived to help try and stabilize her immune system. Such as anti-virals, antibiotics for bacterial infections, Steroids and two types of chemotherapy. Charlotte had and continues to required Blood transfusions and platelet transfusions to keep her alive and avoid damage to her organs.I'm by no means an expert regarding the details of this disease so I will provide a link at the top of this page for those who wish to educate themselves further.If her HLH is primary she will most definitely require a bone marrow transplant to survive. As of right now, her doctors have started her on a twice a week chemo treatment plan for eight weeks to start. I wanted the step up on behalf of my brother and his wife to ask for financial help. The idea of having them worry about money at a time like this is awful. It seems as though there is no end in sight and the cost of living out of a hospital has been outrageous. My Brother is unable to work right now and his wife was already on maternity leave before this nightmare began. Their entire life has been turned upside down and their daughter is all that truly matters now. Unfortunately their world stops but the bills and expenses do not .We are unsure if Charlotte will ever recover from this devastating disease and are very worried about the long term effects of the drugs she has been given.All donations will be used accordingly to assist Charlotte and help her family stay afloat. If by chance she comes out of this unscathed all remaining money will be directly donated to SickKids Hospital. I'llpersonally update with specifics as we know more regarding her progress/treatment and any other findings in the near future.Please find it in your hearts to help them, any contribution is beneficial.God bless,Thank you,Allysha BreenBilly & Tamara <3