Christmas comes early for 11-year-old Ernie
CHRISTMAS came early yesterday for one local boy. Ernie Backlund-Leale is making great memories with his family and friends after receiving the news that he relapsed after a bone marrow transplant.
Ernie, 11, was diagnosed with Leukemia in January 2012. After more than three years of intensive chemotherapy, he went into remission, only to relapse in January of 2016.
In July last year, he underwent a bone marrow transplant which, initially, was a success.
Earlier this year, routine blood tests revealed the devastating news that he had, once again, relapsed. Ernie is now receiving palliative care and working through his bucket list, which included getting a puppy and learning how to make sausages.
As Ernie was in isolation last Christmas, he didn't see his friends and family, so April seemed like a good time to throw a festive bash.
The OGH Hotel provided the venue free of charge and gave one of their function rooms a festive makeover, with staff giving up their time to make the party happen, while Cimandis donated the Christmas food.
