Six-year-old Chase Lamont of Williams Lake is in B.C. Children’s Hospital after being diagnosed with an aggressive and fast-growing type of liver cancer.
As a result, his family is asking for the community’s support in helping them cover associated medical and travel expenses that continue to increase. Chase’s cousin Kyla Wejr says Chase’s grandmother noticed a lump on Chase’s stomach last month.
“His mom and grandmother took him into emergency and they did a CAT scan,” she says, adding the doctors found a lump and sent him to the B.C. Children’s Hospital. “Within two days he was diagnosed with cancer.”
The type of cancer is called Hepatoblastoma. The tumour is the size of a cantaloupe, which is attached to both his liver and stomach.
Wejr says due to its large size, the tumour cannot be surgically removed.
“He just went through one round of chemo,” Wejr says. “They are waiting one week and then going to do another round of chemo. They’re hoping the tumour will shrink enough so they can do surgery.”
If it doesn’t, Chase will require a liver transplant.
“He is already on the list to receive a liver transplant,” she says.
Chase’s mom Shanna Stangoe, his dad Chris Lamont, and stepmom Jen Lamont — all from Williams Lake — have already been in Vancouver for more than a month. Doctors predict Chase may not be able to come home until after Christmas. An ongoing fundraiser is being held to help the family.
In September, the family hopes to hold a golf fundraiser, though details have yet to be confirmed. In the meantime, an account has been set up at the Williams Lake and District Credit Union for Chase and his family. Those interested in donating can visit the credit union and make a deposit to the account Chase Lamont Fundraiser. Cheques made out to Chase Lamont Fundraiser can also be mailed directly to the Williams Lake and District Credit Union, 139 North Third Ave., Williams Lake, B.C., V2G 2A5.