
“Without these machines funded by Enfant Soleil, the children wouldn't be able to survive,” say Logan's parents.
A fragile start to life
Logan is a lively little boy who loves singing in the car with his parents and playing guitar. His illness is not very visible, despite his pale complexion and shortness of breath, which forces him to reduce his physical activities and use inhalers every day. Life has been a challenge for him right from the start. During his very first week of life, his health became a major concern. He developed unexplained jaundice, and despite receiving light therapy, his bilirubin levels continued to rise. Transferred to Hôpital Fleurimont at the CHUS in Sherbrooke, Logan was cared for by a hemato-oncologist. His condition deteriorated, forcing the medical staff to administer his first blood transfusion. He went home with a BiliBed, a phototherapy system used to treat jaundice, which finally subsided after three weeks.
Five transfusions and 50 weeks of treatment later, they had a diagnosis: hereditary spherocytosis, a rare disease affecting the red blood cells. With Logan's immune system weakened, germs were his biggest threat and his parents were constantly worried about the slightest infection. Between his second birthday and his toddler years, every fever required a hospital visit to make sure he didn’t have a bacterial infection.
When he was two, Logan faced a series of challenges: mononucleosis, parvovirus, pneumonia, and influenza, which landed him in the ER on a regular basis. These difficult months were marked by numerous hospitalizations and regular blood transfusions. His parents had to cancel birthday parties and other social events to avoid exposing him to germs.
A glimmer of hope
Now seven years old, Logan lives with chronic anemia and other complications from his disease. Despite the hardships, his strength has inspired his parents to never give up. Logan has already received 14 blood transfusions, made possible by equipment funded by Enfant Soleil. Although these treatments have been difficult on him, he now understands how important they are for his health.
Logan takes daily medications to protect himself from viruses and continues to be monitored by his hematologist at Hôpital Fleurimont. An operation to remove his spleen could improve his immune system and quality of life. However, any fever will still require urgent medical attention.
A message of encouragement
"Even though we spend so much of our time at the hospital, what we take away is that it’s a blessing in disguise. You have to believe, never give up, because there is light at the end of the tunnel", his parents confide.
– Stéfanie Mercier Jutras and Maxime Fortier
Logan, a daily battle: the story of a little warrior
Logan's parents tell a story of courage and hope.
