About

Four years ago it all started with a case of hives.  Wes Laporte, 18, local boy to Belle River, ON with family; Brian (father), Maureen (mother) and Brother Matthew have been thrown into a roller coaster of issues.  Wes has been diagnosed with the beginnings of Leukemia, without treatment Wes’ condition is fatal.  Father, Brian works in AB as a pipe fitter, however, as Wes’ condition has gotten worse has had to take a layoff to take care of his family.  Mother, Maureen works on an assembly line to help make ends meet.  Brian says “We have to be very careful with who we have in our home so we don’t bring any infection in! It’s very frustrating at times and I know Wes feels this too.”  Wes says “This puts life on hold, my family and I can’t do anything, even school is on hold, my family is put out too.  This just isn’t fun for any of us.”

Wes and his father Brian Laporte.

Wes, after finding some strange hives went to an allergy specialist which then transitioned to blood work when there was no solution found.  The blood work came back with lower than normal white and red blood cell counts.  Doctors at the time attributed this to a common cold or virus.  Follow up appointments continued to show the low counts.

Two years ago a bone marrow biopsy was ordered by Doctors in Toronto, ON and the news was grim.  Doctors found that there was a genetic mutation in Wes, this mutation contributed to frequent Cellulitis infections (common when the immune system has been degraded).  Regular blood work then became a regular routine for Wes and his family.

Wes was then given the news by Doctors in London, ON 1 ½ years ago that a bone marrow transplant could be necessary.  At that time Wes was told he has MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), this is known as Pre-Leukemia.  This strain of MDS is considered to be very rare and very aggressive.  Wes has been put on the marrow waiting list.  2 months ago Wes and the family found out officially the transplant would be necessary.

One week ago Brian and Maureen wanted to look further into Wes’ condition and found EcuMedical Resources International.  This company is the gateway to US health care from Canada and it introduced the family to Dr. Fata out of the Michigan Cancer Institute.  Dr. Fata found several blood infections.  If Wes got the marrow he needs his immune system is unable to accept the marrow without treatment to boost his system.  These infections were diagnosed in the US.  The technologies, according to Brian (father), are not available to treat Wes in Canada.  Wes could have started treatment for his conditions years ago had he been introduced to the US health care system.  Brian states “The Canadian health system, while excellent, is simply lacking in the latest technological developments that are available in the US for Wes’ condition.”

The situation for Wes and his family is not good.  The funding for a US treatment is simply not available to the family.  Family and friends are asking for support.  The Wes Laporte Foundation has been launched to help the Laporte family fund the treatments for Wes.