Windsor infant fights cancer

By Shaun Garrity

Normally infants are at home in their cribs, but a 13-week Windsor baby is at the Children’s Hospital in London battling cancer.

Jonathon “Johnny” Deans and Christina Eady are living London to be with their son Jonathon Jr. who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia shortly after birth. Eady’s cousin Melissa McLeod said the baby must remain an inpatient for the majority of the treatment.

“Johnny is not working, so he can be in London with Christina and the baby,” said Mcleod.

Acute myeloid leukemia is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes abnormal myoblasts, a type of white blood cell, red blood cells or platelets.

Jonathon’s grandmother Julie Demarce said the infant has been hospitalized since Aug. 26 and will be going through four treatments of chemotherapy between now and February 2014. The first treatment was an aggressive form of chemotherapy, the next three will be less aggressive.

“You hear (about) cancer in 18 months, three year olds, five year olds, you don’t hear of it in infants,” said Demarce. “It was really devastating, it is heart breaking.”

The family is holding a benefit dinner Oct. 19 at the Windsor Moose Lodge to help support the family during Jonathon Jr.’s hospitalization. The event is expected to attract more than 300 people.

Jodi Walton, another of Eady’s cousins, said that her family raised $ 1,000 for the cause.

“I truly believe when you have friends and family by your side you can conquer anything,” said Walton.

If you have any questions about the dinner or you would like to donate to Jonathon, email [email protected]